Blues go to sleep for 2 seconds...

We will see...

Given the expansive way in which Villa play, surely this is the perfect platform for Kean. Glad I haven't got Sky. Fingers crossed as always.

Can't see many goals in this team.

In the unlikely event of him proving me wrong, I will apologise to all TW.

10 mins shitting ourselves and then top of table.

Why not try something and try to go 2-0 up after 30 mins and then shut shop?

Anyway.. let's see how we get on here. Not confident though. Too many passengers and a formation that doesn't suit our forward.

No doubt they'll all click and we'll win 10-0.. and I'll happily take egg on my face..

Fingers crossed.

I would've (like you) liked to have seen Iwobi (if fully fit) and Kean start tonight as seen as Richarlison had a real stinker last week and Lewin hasn't scored for many games.

No good playing pretty pretty sideways passing with no end outcome.

To win games, you have to score goals and to pick a striker up front on his own who at best will score 4 goals a season is unbelievable.

Even Carragher can't believe all the signings are sat on the bench.

I despair...

😡

Get Kean on, get Iwobi on. How can it be any worse? By this point, Walcott is looking like the potential gamechanger.

Also - does Gylfi Sigurdsson actually exist? I'd like to open the floor to debate and fresh ideas on this hot topic.

My only concern is Mina. Looks completely lost at times, left for dust aplenty... no idea what he was doing for their goal... a penalty waiting to happen.

I'd go 4-4-2 not sure which midfielder I'd hook though.

Entertaining.

Also wtf has happened to Gomes?!?!?

No wonder Marco has a face like thunder. I expect changes for the second half. Simply not good enough.

We were completely on top, overwhelmingly so. Then Bernard plays a terrible pass and they break. Mina was poor in both initial reading of the situation and reactionary defending. Why Keane doesn't step up is beyond me.

Then wham. Villa all of a sudden look like the Hungarian Magyars.

Mina generally had been bested by Wesley. Surprisingly he's been outmuscled repeatedly. He seems to lack a lot of power for such an enormous guy.

Clearly we have more ability than Villa. Let's hope the Blues can do me proud in the second half.

I'd be tempted to put him there and give the Villa RB a real hard time for the first 15 of the second half. Maybe bring Walcott on the right and Kean for Calvert-Lewin.

We were totally dominant up to their goal, playing excellent football throughout the team.

A poor pass between Gomes and Bernard leads to conceding a cheap free-kick 70 yards from goal. The same two players not alert enough to prevent the quick taking of the free-kick. Still a lot for Villa to do, but Keane lets him man run off him...and with their very first touch of the game in our penalty area they score.

Goals change games and they grew in confidence and we lost control.

Posters have been sticking it to Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin already this season, but for me – as he did for the majority of last season – Gomes continues to be not just peripheral, but a liability. He has been woeful in the most basic of plays.

We can still win this game, but when you get chances like Calvert-Lewin's from the excellent play of Schneiderlin and Coleman, you HAVE to take them.

I'm comfortable with Kean serving his time on the bench. But he needs 30 minutes here – game looks made for him. Iwobi too. Inject a bit of urgency into the attack.

As I've said in the past, this club has no ambition and a manager who has the football intelligence of a solitary corn flake.

He is clueless.

Jesus fucking christ

It seems only the people in charge at Everton (I include Brands in that) think that repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results is not the first sign of madness.

Money they have spent to lose 2-0 to the team that finished third in the Championship?

Absolute shite... and it looks all for the world like yet another season of mediocrity, let's be honest.

If Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin are selected next match, I'd sack him there and then.

We relied too much on Sigurdsson and Richarlison last season and now this season, unless Kean does something, there's fuck all there.

This ranks alongside Fulham away in April as another disgraceful result, and add Millwall, Brighton, Southampton last season.

Too many shockers... far, far too many.

We've got enough about us to stay up, what's the point of finishing any higher than necessary, I suppose? Biggest game is on Wednesday. Strongest side needs to be out.

Typical Everton, get the right back booked after 6 minutes – and then give him rest of the night off. Absolute amateur hour in game management and unsettling an opponent AGAIN.

Silva is stealing a living in this league. If the board thought that Silva was the answer, they asked the wrong questions.

I hoped Calvert-Lewin would develop, he showed a few glimmers last season but he's actually worse, mind you, we don't get the ball forward to him anyway, we're too busy playing across the middle.

This will be yet another season like the dozens before. Heaven knows what will happen when we play a decent side, Villa just pulled our pants down, let that sink in... VILLA!

Terrible slow, dour, boring football. We've started the season even slower than usual.

Silva I am still on the fence with as I have been since he arrived at Hull City. I don't know if he can turn it around but I also don't know if he is the loser some on here seem to imagine. I just don't know. Everyone and everything else I would say rates somewhere between adequate and good.

Brilliant.

If we turn up with our usual dickhead attitude then they will fancy their chances of doing us, they gave us a right scare in January at Goodison and almost got a replay.

Lose that one then the mood will sink rock bottom again.

All blues know we were never going top.

What garbage.

For fuck's sake, get some proper coaching staff in, sick to death of this predictable shit.

Another horrible bore-fest. What do they do at USMFF? Or are they all newly buying into the "We Get Everton" mantra nonsense always promulgated by our newly re-established chairman as the results and performances disappoint, decade after decade?

Is Moshiri still a slave to the "GET EVERTON" mantra he bought into?

Jeez, I hope not, but until those who've sponged a pay packet by merely saying they "Get Everton" are wholly dispensed with we can expect more of the same.

In the end the goal line clearance to stop Calvert-Lewin, Iwobi hitting the post and Walcott's howler are what's made the difference.

And outswinging corners. It's been years now. So easy to defend, so hard to score from, especially when the plan seems to be to get everyone to make the same run. What could I earn as a set-piece coach?

When Kean and Iwobi joined the fray, there was some discernible improvement. Like so many, I am utterly frustrated by Silva's apparent reluctance or inability to alter his tactics and to address the threats and weaknesses of the opposition. As matters stand, it is difficult to find any optimism for the coming months.

I now live in Dallas, TX and after my family miss going to the match more than anything else. This result to me was no surprise. Any chance we get to make a statement and progress we fuck it up. Always have and always will.

I genuinely feel for the generations who have not witnessed EFC success because we are light years away from those days again.

I really could type all night but today was the final nail in the coffin, for me. I wish you boys and girls all the best but I'm done. My dad will be turning in his grave right now at the ineptitude of our ONCE great club.

Look at Walcott!! Waste of space. As for Schneiderlein?? He gets selected because of his salary. We offloaded McCarthy without having back up. Silva is living up to his form, which is a mediocre manager at best.

He appears to be managing by numbers.

Certainly not good enough for Everton!

Top 6 no chance.
Europe no chance.

We start playing when the season is already over and there's only pride to play for, it's been the same for years, the Martinez first season aside.

We had a pathetic pre-season with too many pussyfoots about in parks with no real intensity.

We took too long to sign players that we badly needed and ended up with a even bigger novice of a striker than the wastefully poor DCL, when we needed yes Moise Kean, but also a more experienced hand at the helm as a forward.

Another abject pile of shite but we are constantly being told to be patient year in year out.

But wait, how many more seasons can we keep on being patient for?

We can't finish look at the players. When we move them on.. we will be better.

I'm concerned we still have the same sh!te that are proven failures.

"I do not understand why we tried to change the game with schneiderlin and Gomes as the midfielders"

"The team selection should be always the follow: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Delph (Gbamin), Gomes,"

Given that both your certain started Delph, and his backup Gbamin were injured, we couldn't field that team so Schneid was bound to play. In terms of the subs. What would you suggest? Take both the central midfielders off and just have four at the back and six up top? Surely we needed the midfielders to counter mcGinn, Grealish etc?

But they counter-attacked. Every single dead ball was played quickly and with the purpose of bombing forward in transition.

Morgan was flat footed and slow to react. This wasn't his type of game.

It was so obvious. But what did Marco do? Sat on his hands. He should have subbed Davies in to chase down and break up the Villa counter.

If I were Tom Davies, and I'm dead serious about this, I'd put in a transfer request. Marco doesn't rate him, and is too blind to see when he actually needs to play him.

Absolutely disgusting display today. Sickening to the core.

Our attitude was wrong. Turn up: we are Everton Football Club. No, we are Everton, never won anything for nearly 30 years.

Mid-table here we come! Learn from tonight Silva because we should be beating promoted teams.

Many celebrated when we signed Gomes but I (and a few others) had serious doubts. He needs to create a lot more given the major deficiencies in his defensive game. Him Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson make for a very slow and porous centre. If Gbamin is out for months, that is terrible news. Missing Gueye a lot.

Totally dominant until a succession of sloppy plays led to the opening goal which greatly changed the course of events.

From thereon in we played with a great deal of naivety and an almost total absence of guile.

Genuinely good teams - which is what we looked in the opening 20 minutes - just shrug off going a goal down, get back into their stride and recover the game to win. We just become shambolic, immediately.

I was shocked to hear in commentary that it is FOUR YEARS since we have won a game that we were losing at half time.

Add that to our inadequate away record and unless that radically changes we are not going to make a dent on our ambitions of cracking the top six.

Silva also has to improve his 'substitutions by numbers' policy and not make premeditated changes but rather those that are needed WHEN they are needed, however many minutes are on the clock.

Iwobi impressed when he came on, but Sigurdsson should not have been the one to give way. Gomes was awful and it would have been easy to rejig the side if he had been withdrawn.

The one player who showed and played the range of passes required with the technical ability to pull it off was the much maligned Schneiderlin.

It's going to be a good while longer before we see this Everton team in with a chance of claiming top spot, no matter how briefly.

Disappointing isn't the half of it.

We just don't seem to have a structure to create chances … a top 6 team against a probable bottom 6 team would create so many more clear cut chances!

Well, guess what guys, he had a fookin great chance that most other Premier League Number 9s would happily gobble up, but, surprise surprise, Cilla, he bloody missed it.

We missed a trick not getting the vastly underrated but very useful Ashley Barnes from Burnley.

Shoot me down, but that lad knows where the back of the net is, far more than our lavishly paid bunch of tossers do!

We made a poor Villa side look very good for much of that game. This Wesley guy looked like Drogba against our defence. And I'll tell you this, he'll score no more than 20 premier league goals in his entire career.

I like Silva but he got this wrong tonight. Calvert-Lewin has fired blanks in his opening two starts and offered no threat tonight. They see Kean and obviously assess that he isn't ready to start, but Cenk must be. And cannot have done any worse than Calvert-Lewin this evening yet he wasn't even on the bench.

Walcott is useless. That's all there is to it.

Gomes; tonight exposed Gomes in a way that flatters him little. Almost everything he did he either did it badly or wrong. He should be dropped for the next game to at least give him some time to take perspective.

I love football, but one thing I hate is when poor footballers are made to look good by good footballers. Mings, Wesley, Douglas and that idiot Neil Taylor have each got a cigar on tonight and we have entitled them to that.

Poor showing, Blues. Really so disappointing.

Onwards and hopefully upwards. In hindsight, it's easy to criticise the selection, but it was the sensible one and, even though Iwobi and Kean didn't change the result, they both offered glimpses of a brighter future.

I would agree on Davies. For one thing he has energy which is more than can be said for Gomez. It's obvious Silva is stubborn. Last year we had the fiasco of the zonal marking. OK, finally the penny clicked but it took what 9 months? I suspect now he is sticking to his guns regarding certain players e.g. Gomez, Rich. Maybe he will be proven right, maybe not. I do recall though Brands saying it would be a 3-5 year job and not a quick fix. In fairness, these two are only 12 months in. For some of us it has been 5,10,20, 50, 80 years invested and we are frustrated but in fairness the people managing the club now haven't been there long and it was a complete mess for the past 20 years.

It never changes, over the years I've been saying 'The game is won and lost in the Mid Field - always was, always will be.'

The Mid Field is a UNIT, not a collection on individuals.

The manager(s) have bought a collective of individuals to fill these newly coined positions. He's playing mid field bingo hoping to pick the right numbers and some how strike it luck.

Not Uber time just yet, but if I were Moshiri, I would not be a happy bunny.

Silva's like one of those Polaroid pictures as it faintly develops and you're not sure just what you can see, its still very faint but I reckon its...hasn't a fucking clue.

We looked far better when Sigurdsson came off and we had 2 up front.

We rarely looked troubled at the back - they didn't exactly pressure for their goals.

Negatives

Schneiderlin is only good when we are organised defending or in control of a game. He is a liability when chasing.

Sigurdsson anonymous again. Him and Calvert-Lewin do not work when teams set out to defend.

3 shots 2 goals for them was it??

Calvert-Lewin will never be the striker we rely on for goals. (Saying that, if we continue to play the way we do, he is still a vital cog - I believe him and Kean can cause damage to a lot of poorer teams)

Gomes - turned into Schneiderlin.

High hanging crosses - all game.

Wasteful finishing - Calvert-Lewin and Walcott should hang their heads in shame.

It that case we should start with Siggy as second midfielder or even Davies instead of Schneiderlin and Iwobi in the Siggy place. Schneiderlin can be useful just in a team which is trying to save a result. And in this kind of matches we should try to attack since the first minute. Of course if we have some players out for injuries or suspension we have to make some subs but Schneiderlin and DCL sadly are not good enough in a team which pretend to reach Europe. I will always support our players but the most important is the future of our beloved club.

Inept team selection and tactics, Calvert-Lewin again... Walcott again = more glaringly misses.

Silva is not getting the best out of a talented squad.

Individual performances across the board were nowhere near good enough. Maybe Iwobi is the only one who I'd say takes anything out of that. Took players on, made things happen, swung his foot at shots. The game really isn't any more complicated than it always was – someone still has to do those things.

Gomes had a nightmare game. The positive is that he's so much better than that performance.

Schneiderlin played to his potential, which should tell us that it's never worth picking him. There's always an alternative to playing a guy who simply slows things down and gets in the way. To be honest, I'd play with 10 ahead of Schneiderlin. He's completely pointless. Sell him for whatever you can get. Offers nothing.

Calvert-Lewin needs something. A new style of coaching? A new club? There's ability there but it's starting to look like we just hope something will fall to him. We can do better than misguided optimism.

And what to do about Gylfi? Just hope his quality eventually shines through? He's proved it every other time in his career.

Calvert-Lewin once again showed why the majority of Everton fans don't rate him as our Number 9.

One goal from 3 matches against very ordinary sides says it all.

Silva has his work cut out, who do we play next!

Give the fans a little pleasure in the accuracy with which the defenders interminably pass the ball to each other horizontally across the field with only the odd error to let a striker thump one past Pickford.

Why oh why before the kick-off did I know this was going to happen when watching yet another away game against a technically poorer team?

Such a disappointing night, when we could have made a statement of our intent by going top for a while.

The positives are Iwobi and Kean... the negatives are Silva's conservative approach.

I suppose the next few games will tell us if we are to witness another season like the last or take a step forward.

Besides one pass in the first half, unable to recall any positive contribution from Schneiderlin. If his role is to solidify the defence, where was his presence when Villa attempted 2 meaningful attacks. Gana not only destroyed opposition attacks, would also attack the opposition box.

Any chance of Morgan taking a risk? Pure complacency and pedestrian from a team with the incentive to be top for the first instance in 12 years. Anybody recall the 6-2 trouncing by Villa when we carried ‘chunky Norman'? In context, this was despicably a greater calamity tonight.

Coleman, captain? Time running down, show some aggression and be booked, mindless, the only purpose served was three more mins wasted, excellent captaincy. Stems from safety tactics by management, no other reason Calvert-Lewin is our great No 9, no predatory instincts, will not reach double figures, yet inexplicably will start for EFC as their pinnacle!

Sure bet these players will enjoy their Bank Holiday weekend!

The guy wouldn't have looked out of place on rollerskates in a remake of that Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em scene...

Truly awful player.

'Pathetic' is a good word to describe the mindset that surrounds the footballing side of the club. No fighters within the team, they are like spoilt little rich boys that just allow things to go wrong if things don't go to plan.

Pre-season was awful with even Wigan showing more of a clue of how to play football. No excuses for that defeat.

Schneiderlin in a 2 doesn't work for me – let him sit, but play 2 in front of him. Not sure what the story is with Gbamin, but, bloody hell, we missed him even on last weeks form. I can understand why Marco was after Doucoure. Nothing through the middle.

On a more positive note, Kean looked sharp and Iwobi made a difference when he came on.

Hard to believe that the starting 11 was pretty much the team that went on that superb run against 5 of the top 6 at the end of last season.

At least half the team were bad tonight, and a few were embarrassingly bad. DCL is not the biggest problem at this club or in this team – not right now anyway – and I think those of you still laying into him are missing that key point.

Which particular 2 seconds of the 95 minutes are you referring to, Michael?

I'm not sure about 'going to sleep' but from what I saw they were not even awake for 2 seconds!! What a shower, top to bottom – management included!

Bernard? Not good enough.
Calvert-Lewin? Not good enough.
Sigurdsson? Not good enough.
Rest of the team? Not good enough.
Manager? Nowhere near good enough.

All that optimism when we signed Kean, Iwobi etc... but the reality is flat, boring, predictable crap. And we get beaten by relegation fodder.

Thanks, Everton, for ruining yet another promising evening.

Someone, please, give me genuine cause for optimism!

We are all for a young innovative manager, especially after 11 years of small-mindedness, but he clearly can't or won't learn from his mistakes. He subs too late and safety first all the time. I wouldn't give his chances of being here after Xmas.

I was at that 6-2 trouncing; it was horrendous. Pat Nevin was awful, Tony Cottee scored, if I remember correctly.

We just lack a quality out-and-out "push his granny over to score" type of player. I just hope that Kean is that man but, on a positive we are creating chances and are yet to see the best of our new signings. I think Iwobi could be an inspired recruit

COYB !!!!

One solution I offered was to have Kean and Calvert-Lewin up front. I believe we looked far more dangerous when this happened.

I also agree with Chris @150 – Schneiderlin is only good when he is surrounded in midfield. When we chase the game and effectively have 2 in midfield then he might as well not be there. He literally doesn't move from his position in front of the centre-backs. Silva should have realised this far earlier. Personally, I would have plumped for Kean and Davies at half time for Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin.

“Pay Silva off and make a call for Jose and show some ambition!”

Good that you've retained your sense of humour and are still cracking jokes, despite that setback.

Come on. Seriously? McCarthy is finished at the top level of the game. Might as well wish for Joe Pie Eater Parkinson to come and stick his left foot in.

It's easy, just bring Mo Besic, Jonjoe Kenny or Kieran Dowell into the side and we'll win the league. But Lookman, because he's the new Pele, isn't he. The best players in the world are often the ones who don't get a look in, hey?

Tonight showed why we put in a late bid for Doucoure.

Silva completely out of his depth, no force of personality and Moneyball recruitment. We need men, winning personalities and our only winning character is Delph. There's not a single winner in that squad apart from him and it's a disgrace that the personality of this squad hasn't been torn apart because we are spineless and weak.

I really hate them, but Liverpool have obviously recruited better quality and what really sticks in the throat is that they've recruited better characters too.

Silva is a dead man walking already and we all know it, it's just a matter of when.

He didn't ‘miss' it, it was blocked on the line.

Ashley Barnes?!!?

Awful game. Not a single good point. Villa scored with each meaningful attempt.

One day I'm hoping to see an Everton team which shoots at every plausible opportunity. Kean and Iwobi offer hope, but no one else.

Sigurdsson is now far too cautious though he used to offer hope (recall his goal at Leicester) and there is no-one else. Gomes & Schneiderlin rarely shoot; Bernard – despite being our only goalscorer this season – rarely shoots. And sadly also Richarlison (not a real threat this season, yet) are just too cautious.

Calvert-Lewin could be a good centre-forward if he could score. It has been a major problem for far too long and isn't one that troubles successful teams.

Decent first 10-20 mins and then awful.

That was Gomes' worst performance in a blue shirt and Schneiderlin was and is totally 1 dimensional. And I'm yet to be convinced that that dimension is any good.

I'm a fan of Siggy but he's not a No 10. I don't see why we can't play him in a 2 like he did at Swansea?

Also why couldn't we have taken off Gomes, dropped Siggy into his position and put Bernard at 10 and Iwobi on the left?

The whole thing was crap. And pray tell, what does Walcott do in training to warrant a place even on the bench?? He's awful. I defended him a little bit last season as he was a goal threat but even that has gone. He's in the squad because he's an elite footballer. I could hoof it over the bar from 6 yards out – an elite footballer is there because he dispatched those chances into the net.

Silva, sort out this crap: played 3, scored 1 and that 1 was a deflection.

How are we into ANOTHER season without a proven goalscorer?!?! This is shocking

Oh for a Mick Lyons or an Alan Ball. I don't pretend to know the answer. I have the impression we have become a home for talented journeymen. Come on, Gylfi, pick up the mantle... glory awaits.

Despite what people say, I don't think our recruitment has been strong or sufficient enough through from central defence, midfield where creativity is severely lacking, and another established striker.

I wasn't the least bit convinced by us last week against Watford, I thought for most of that match we were hanging on. Against a really average Villa team tonight we were toothless, ponderous and frankly abysmal after a promising beginning.

We have some good players and I believe a competent manager who showed at the end of last season that he has the wherewithal to develop us. So what is causing this early season blip?

I wouldn't say alarm bells are ringing quite yet but we need to get this sorted asap.

Nothing like going into the season fully prepared and raring to go. The drawn-out Zaha saga, last-minute bids for Doucoure. Stinks of mismanagement from Silva and Brands.

And yes, Brands has reduced the wage bill but reducing the wage bill doesn't improve the team or win you games.

Jury's still out with Silva and the Messiah.

Bullshit, what does Schneiderlin offer? And just a question: why was Delph bought? He's on bigger wages than he was at Man City, an attacking midfielder, as is Gomes?

Disjointed, passionless... and I can't be bothered adding anything more.

Night TW's.

Play with Richarlison, Iwobi and Kean. We need forwards on the pitch who can score.

From the fucking start!

How can we spend so much money and this is what we have to show for it? Can't put 100% of the blame on Silva as the players were terrible.

Delph has won 2 Premier League titles in the last two years whilst James McCarthy played a grand total of 7 games for a poor to average team.

Do I need to comment further?

Calvert-Lewin needs to be dropped in favour of Kean. It's obviously clear that Kean is far better than him. If he doesn't start next week against Wolves, they will wipe the floor with us. Then the pressure is really on at the start of the season.

Same old story. That's Everton for you, I'm afraid. It hurts to see us struggle. Does it hurt our over-rated over-paid so-called players? I very much doubt it. Wasters!

Villa won the game in midfield. Gomes was especially bad. And don't even start me on Walcott.

Villa were a poor team but gave their all; not any Everton players matched them for effort. We had better chances, all missed, but no way were we better than Villa.

Some of the many stupid fouls given away were pitiful with Colman's lashing the free-kick at his opponent – pathetic, wasting valuable time when we were chasing the game.

We should be used to being let down by this team but there doesn't seem to be any anger when we are losing, they just accept it.

It's going to be a long hard season, so hard to take year after year. The hope is fading early this season... I hope they buck themselves up very quickly, but they are mercenaries who have come for the money, and most have no affinity to or for the club.

Another long miserable weekend after tonight.

If you think our problems are still with DCL you are wrong. I agree, it wasn't his best game but even his worst performance was better than all the 㿊m+ players in blue and he had our only shot on target.

That said, I think a large part of our problem is behind the scenes with Boa Morte (which translates to 'good death') and Ferguson.u

The biggest worry for me is our midfield. We all know DCL's limitations, he should have scored the chance he had, but he is a young striker doing his best with very little support throughout the whole 90 minutes.

For our midfield 5:

Schneiderlin = shite. He only has 1 gear - reverse. Stealing a living.
Gomes - quality player but was well off it tonight.
Richarlison - i'm not a fan of this lad. Runs around a bit, gets the odd goal, but his general play isn't good enough. A passenger when he is not on form, like tonight.
Sigurdsson - same as Richarlison. Just doesn't do enough. Gets the odd goal, but doesn't link things together like a quality number 10 should. He was a passenger today.
Bernard - the best of a bad lot. Surprised he was taken off. He is lightweight though, he doesn't give enough end product.

Our problem is our midfield, they don't know how to attack. Any threat we have comes from our full backs. Watching Gomes and Schneiderlin doing square passes to each other while we were losing 1-0 was painful. No urgency or drive from midfield at all. And what did Sigurdsson offer tonight?

I feel sorry for DCL. Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero would struggle to score playing in front of our midfield, certainly the way they played tonight. DCL has his limitations, but Kean didn't get any chances created for him tonight either. Hopefully Iwobi is going to help in this respect, because our midfield looked woeful tonight...

We will get better but tonight proved yet again we are missing someone in the middle of the park that is not just a leader but a relentless narky bastard too. It was weak.

It's probably already been said but why not play Bernard or Iwobi centrally?? Both look to beat a man and drive into the opposition box, something that Gylfi simply does not do so surely would be worth at least trying?

Simon #179
“I said previously that Silva is the biggest problem. I should have mentioned that Brands is not far behind.”

Calm down fella. Why do we always need a scapegoat? Marco did enough last season to show he's capable, even if he's not quite Howard Kendall or Alex Ferguson yet. As for dragging Brands into it...?

The players on the pitch tonight didn't quite do it. That happens in football. We're not the finished article yet. It's hard to be patient of course but knee-jerk reactions will get you nowhere quickly.

I've read enough stoner fiction to know that smoking a banana skin is a fruitless endeavour. It's smelly and has no soporiphic effects.

If I was appointed Everton manager tomorrow would I be brainwashed into thinking that banana skins are healthy or unavoidable? Or is that a prerequisite for the job?

Firstly, great name.

Secondly, have you been watching Marco's Everton?
We don't do anything in the middle mate! The area just north of the opposition goal 20 yards and in?

It's a barren wasteland!

I actually think our players aren't shooting because they are instructed to play it wide.

Marco fixed his zonal marking woes. Not playing through the attacking middle will be his death if he doesn't change his ways. We are too predictable at the moment. It's a carbon copy every time down the pitch. The opposition doesn't even worry about defending the top of their own 18.

Where did our one post shot come from? Iwobe cut into the MIDDLE and actually shot the fucking ball!

Clearly he's not gotten the memo!

The more the goals have dried up, the more Everton will struggle, even against lesser teams such as Villa. Everton could be revitalized but, with the midfield looking pedestrian without Idrissa Gueye, Everton are not as sharp as last season.

The manager has done his best to get the best players available but getting them to work effectively as a team will take some time. Something he may not have.

I hate this club sometimes.

Richarlson needs some time on the bench.

Why buy new players and not play them, ffs???

All ToffeeWeb can see this, why not the bellend in the suit?

You're spot on with your 'barren wasteland' comment. It's staggering how little we manage to break opposition lines in this regard OR even worse at least fail while trying to do so.

What epitomised and highlighted this failure for me, was when the intelligent Iwobi came on and was looking for players to link with in areas that he would be used to at Arsenal but with us just saw empty spaces or players so flat footed they may as well been in concrete.

He ignites some positivity onto the midfield and into our way of playing. I will be hoping that Tom is bashing Marco Silva's door down this week, demanding a start.

There seems to be a total failure of responsibility by Silva; he knew we needed goals but totally ignored the issue. Buying a 19-year-old kid to head up a team with European ambitions is laughable.

As for Sigurdsson, he'll be off in January. He deserves and will find a better club than us to play for... Good luck to him, we just waste the guy's talent.

I got up early hours Saturday morning to watch this, that's another 3 hours sleep I will never get back.

Sorry, I cannot find one positive from this game.

Having someone upfront who can turn half-chances into goals are as rare as hen's teeth. Everton are in for another struggling season, especially, as the midfield has slowed down to move the ball quickly from midfield to attack.

We are about to watch another season crumble before our eyes thanks to another second rate manager. Will anybody be genuinely surprised if Lincoln turn us over? Sky are licking their lips at the prospect because the losers are coming to town & are desperate please the viewers.

Will anyone at the club even care? Just a collective shrug of the shoulders probably. The same will happen in the FA Cup come January & then right on cue at the arse end of the season we'll string some decent results together because we're already out of everything and it no longer matters... then rinse & repeat.

Has there ever been another club with such an ill-suited motto? No wonder they tried to ditch it a few years back.

Most of the rest of the squad is shithouse too.

Who the heck is gonna take 30-year-old Gylfi Sigurdsson on his massive wages off our hands that is “better” than us?

Firstly, Bill Kenwright hasn't been in charge for years.

Secondly, Allardyce pulled us away from our flirt with relegation and finished 8th only to get sacked. We've had five different people managing the side in five years. I don't think failure to sack is an issue.

He'll probably end up on loan to a European club, just like all our other misfits.

This lot should never form a midfield trio and we allowed Grealish to run the show. These three do not give us the young and vibrant midfield Silva wants so why didn't he play Tom? He would have got stuck into them and driven us forward.

I thought Mina was one of our better players and Iwobi looked promising. Kean needs creative players to help him whereas we had nothing creative all game.

Just like the first half of last season, the manager seemed bereft of ideas and unable to inspire his team. He picked up in the last dozen games but has to sort this out much quicker this time.

Very, very disappointing and, as posters say above, the Lincoln game looms large — lose that and the wolves will be circling in more ways than one!!

All three lack pace and dynamism. They are too slow to cover the defence and too slow to supply and support the attack. For a combined outlay of around 䀆M, we are not getting value for money.

People have urged Silva to play his strongest team against Lincoln. I doubt Silva or anyone else would know what our strongest team is at present.

Remember when Klopp arrived at that lot, he immediately had them playing a certain way. It flopped at times, but you could see a method being applied. You could see that Klopp energy being transmitted to the players.

With Silva, we just seem so passive. We seem like anti-Klopp.

I just looked, and in three games we have only SIX shots on target. Two a game!

That is absolutely Big Sam material right there, folks!

Fucking hell, that is awful!

Calvert-Lewin – he has no confidence. He's a striker and should put chances like that into the net.

Richarlison – plays for himself, no teamwork or sacrifice.

Sigurdsson – a man of Hugin and Munin without the vision.

Gomes – brilliant at times but too fucking slow.

Bernard – please use both feet...

Schneiderlin – please show yourself.

We got a good back four and a competent keeper. But please learn how to be creative and fast in the attacking phase.

Depressingly, none of those in contention here are good enough for a ‘two'. It's why Silva HAS to change it, or we could be in real trouble again this year. My fear is he's too stubborn and, just like Martinez, he'll just persist again and again.

We need to go with a three in the middle. For me it's:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Davies Gomes Delph (or Bernard)
Iwobi Kean Richarlison

Next 3 games are massive for Silva – he needs to show he can change, or we should change.

Scapegoat? Don't be ridiculous.

As for Brands. Do you think the way we have bought and sold is looking good?

Mina... wow, where to start... basically, he has the positional sense of Phil Jones's jaw pictures and unless him and Kean start to click we are fucked up-front and fucked at the back. Worrying times...

You were surprised by some of the comments and thought the game entertaining. No word about what a toothless shower they are or the shocking performance of Gomes, just 3 mentions of how bad Mina was. I doubt if every body seen it that way.

The only thing you did get right is "I'm not sure Silva actually has a Plan B." In my opinion, he hasn't. I'm beginning to think he is a one-trick pony like Martinez.

Schneiderlin – no thanks too sideways.

Davies and Gomes all day long until Delph and Gbamin are back.

Calvert-Lewin? Sorry, mate, you have had your chance, time to move over for the 19-year-old.

Sigurdsson and Richarlison aren't firing and Calvert-Lewin never will. If we went behind, there was every chance we would lose.

The game was begging for Davies at half time. But no. Take off the only attacker actually playing decently in Bernard, take of Sigurdsson (who is by far the most creative in spite of being out of touch) and leave us with the most pedestrian midfield possible.

We lack a leader on the pitch too and therefore Delph or Davies have to play. Bit of a shake-up needed so I'd play Davies and Sigurdsson behind Iwobi, Bernard and Richarlison with Kean up top. Deeper Siggy can dictate play and is still a goal threat from distance. Richarlison needs a kick up the bum too.

That's fine, after decades of rotting, we can all be happy that we have a 6-goals-a-season striker, ain't won anything since 1995, ain't won at Anfield for 20 years, the list is endless.

Reading some of the posts on here sickens me at the lack of a basic understanding of what is required to construct a successful team. I'm flogging a dead horse with my posts intended to rouse a reaction. Everton are on the verge of death unless everyone wakes up and realises how far the rot has set in.

Massive improvement needed in the attacking third, but Kean will help that. Switching to 4-4-2 was a bad call from Silva and he is making some mistakes in selection and tactics while he beds in the new players. Schneiderlin and Walcott should have limited game time, while the shape of the team will improve if we switch to 4-3-3 with a fit Delph. I would consider dropping Sigurdsson and Gomes needs to improve.

But a bit of perspective on one defeat, as much as some enjoy coming on to vent. You are like the incoherent drunk in the corner of the pub gabbling nonsense.

Another fan happy with shocking mediocrity.

Simon Dalzell – if Silva and Brands need to go, who do you think Everton could attract to replace them?? Given it was a major coup for Everton to attract Brands who has an elite reputation as a Director of Football. Surely you think he's doing a better job than Steve Walsh?!

You need to listen mate. the knowledgeable are speaking.

They will have missed the poor performances from Coleman and Digne. They will not be concerned at the alarming way three ordinary teams have carved open our central defence to get clean through on our goalie. They will ignore the truly abject performances of Gomes, Schneiderlin, Bernard, Sigurdsson and Richarlison.

Walcott missed the best chance of the game, but that hardly merits a mention... it makes no neverminds. Digne missed a golden opportunity, but come on... it was on his wrong foot... what do you expect?

And so what if footy fans up and down the country were laughing at Richarlison's effort as he ignored his team mates in better positions, or when Sigurdsson did the same to offer that acutely embarrassing attempted chip?

Where you are going wrong, Steve, is you don't understand where the REAL problems lie. Calvert-Lewin missed his first chance of the season last night. That's the thing that REALLY matters. All we need to do is give him his P45 and we'll deffo get top six.

You, Steve, are simply not ignoring the desperate performances of every other player.

How are we ever going to win trophies with fans who simply don't understand the whipping boy mentality?

Carry on believing Silva knows what he's doing if you want and believing we are top 6 material.

Let's reassess at Xmas.

Steve was saying that there are certain posters who mainly come on here when we lose to slam everyone and I agree. I've no truck with those who are finding fault with last night, as Steve himself was.

As for Silva, I still rate him but I'm not at all impressed with how he's started the season. I've never thought we would necessarily be top 6 this season as there are still big holes in our squad (even bigger without Gbamin now). Silva needs to improve quickly or surely his performance will not meet with Brands's and Moshiri's targets.

I apologise if I mis read / construed your posts.

I'm just so frustrated – year on year spending millions and very little progress (from what I can see ) in terms of league placings and style of football.

Apologies.

Gomes was awful. I didn't feel like commenting on the rest of the players as the second half was mostly dire.

The comment on Mina was specifically because of the praise he has got as being a competent replacement for Zouma. He's not. If you didn't see it that way, then fine...

Perhaps you missed his absolutely naive breaking of the line for the first goal, his moving into space to close down no-one, and him creating the space for the through pass... perhaps you missed him constantly grabbing opposing players in the box or being left for dead or completely out of position. If you didn't see how problematic he will be, then fine.

The false dawn of having sorted our central pairing needed commenting on.

Despite the second half, the other players are capable of better. The rest will improve. I don't think he will.

Our away form will remain very poor and chances of a cup victory are very slim indeed. Nothing much has changed despite spending millions, it's not easy to find the answers. Hopefully he gives the 4-3-3 preferred system a go, because his present system is a busted flush.

Iwobi and Kean are hugely promising. Win against Lincoln and Wolves and we're happy again. But we must get steel and pace in midfield, certainly.

It's a long season; no need for jerkin.

We spent a lot of money badly (Bolasie, Schneiderlin, Walcott, Klaassen etc) but I think it is now being spent better. Many thought it would take 2-3 years to undo the damage of Walsh, Koeman and Allardyce, and they are right.

I don't know whether Silva is the right man but I think our form in the last third of last season showed he can improve players and build a successful system. But obviously he has to maintain it and we've started this season poorly. Beat Lincoln and Wolves and we won't be looking too bad but slip in either of those games and it's a bad start to the season.

Players who tend to make the wrong decision, it showed last night, you can see it in the goals we conceded and in the chances we missed. Players who are desperate not to look stupid, and possibly lack the ability, who back off rather than engage the charging midfielder for fear of being passed. Players who don't steady themselves and just hit and hope (Calvert-Lewin, Walcott).

This is due to a distinct lack of coaching. We are a fine-weather team, if everyone is in their happy place, then we can take on the best and compete; if not, it is headless chickens and ultimately cheap and easy defeats, like yesterday's embarrassment against Villa.

I see little progress with this by the master coach Silva.

Just a couple of things: I have seen Under-10 teams transition quicker through midfield (Gomes and Schneiderlin are too slow) and lack of goalscorers will destroy this club.

If Silva is sorting the back 5 as a priority and then moves onto midfield etc, then okay, but forget this season and expect 7th to 10th place. Football is a tough place to work in, so Silva is already on borrowed time. Get the team scoring or go Marco!

Kenwright is still the chairman and, as far as I'm concerned, the mentality at the club will never change with him there.

The point I was making was about the acceptance of mediocrity, and that these sorts of performances are quite normal and don't cause any undue concern... and never will. If you want to split hairs about the timing of Allardyce's sacking, then that's up to you... but just remember he was another mediocre second-rate manager who was second-choice behind the current mediocre second-rate manager.

I've seen absolutely nothing to suggest Silva is the man to take us forward — and to think we chased this fella for nearly a year...

Don't know about Silva, but it's giving me sleepless nights.

I play (or used to play) a fair bit of squash and the only opportunity you get to have an uncontested shot is at your service. It is an opportunity to go straight onto the offense. No way would you simply lob to the opposite court and allow your oppo to easily structure his/her reply. These tippy-tappy free kicks are a waste of time when you are close enough to goal to actually set something up.

Also, someone seems to be offering instructions to our players that attempts from outside the penalty area are forbidden. Or am I not seeing something here???

Coleman's yellow?... for taking the obstructing fella's feet out from under him. Deserved yellow, but the best moment of the match apart from Iwobi's near-miss against the post. Calvert-Lewin really does put in a shift and wins a lot of stuff. If we could put someone – Kean! – in alongside him and take away the main responsibility for goal scoring from him, it could pay healthy dividends, as well as drawing a few goals from the man himself.

So disappointed with last night's result. We weren't abject for 90 mins and did play some decent football but it was like a light being switched off when Villa scored.

Downer on a long weekend. Ugh.

Surely Sidibe is knocking on the door to replace the ineffectual Coleman, who charges up the pitch only to cut back and walk until he can find someone in the half way line?

Surely Iwobi has embarrassed the starters with his substitute appearance showing what actual power and presence is.

Surely Kean, although raw and a bit wild, showed enough (when he wasn't hacking in frustration) to replace the emasculated and ineffective Calvert-Lewin?

God knows who else, perhaps Davies in for any of our pedestrian central midfield.

It's obvious that Silva cannot change anything when he makes substitutions, nor surprise teams with a different set-up. My view of him is the man who sells the king new clothes. I have to say he would never have been my pick for manager and I hope Brands has made a list and is sounding them out.

Why is this? Firstly, we are buying good players, but often they are injury prone and/or seem to lack mental robustness, despite obvious technical skills that they have.

Perhaps, to have a good chance of getting better players who are more solid physically and mentally, we simply need to pay top prices, which we don't and probably can't. Secondly, given the players we have, to get consistent good results would really need coaching of the highest calibre, to get them to gel as a team, since when a team gels it helps individual performances and vice versa. Silva looks a good coach, as evidenced by a number of good performances last season, but that doesn't imply he's of the highest calibre to get the team to gel consistently.

As such, unless we pay top wack for players and get the best coach available, it's difficult to see us progressing from the current state of consistent midtable. Not a disaster in itself, but very disappointing for Evertonians who have seen top sides in the past. So, in reality, the Villa result wasn't unexpected, and shit happens more so for midtable clubs than for top clubs.

We'll also have some really good performances that will raise our hopes again, only for those hopes to be dampened again by the inevitable ups and downs of being midtable. This is the most likely thing, but it's also possible that, once the new signings have bedded in and get over injuries, Silva will be able to get more consistent better performances. But it's more hope than expectation at present.

Not singling out Calvert Lewin but on 70 mins he pulled out of a tackle outside of our 18-yard box, which he should've made - maybe he was worried about an infringement. Anyway, It typified the half-arsed mentality and lack of application and professional skill by Everton throughout the game.

The midfield is awful, Gomes was putrid (strong words) but he was that bad. Nothing going forward through the middle at all, everything goes through Digne, who if not on form renders us toothless. Coleman can not cross and the corners are often high and to the back post for the lofty and powerful Bernard – a dog's breakfast.

Delph might well be the most important acquisition we made during the summer; keeping him fit will be vital because that midfield scares the life out of me.

Villa sat deep and hit us on the counter, Palace tried the same thing. Once they scored, we forced passes all over the park and looked terrible.

Saying that, we still had 3 good chances to score. Calvert-Lewin's and Walcott's should be buried and Iwobi had hard lines.

Another disjointed performance from us. Gomes had a 'mare, Sigurdsson and Richarlison just haven't got going this season at all.

We have to start playing Kean and Iwobi.

Then 70 minutes of "Oh my Gods".

My guts are still tingling in despair.

And those other misses - Walcott is not a finisher (rarely a starter; old but still developing apparently!). Snowflakes I think is the word used?

Digne's miss was with his right foot but still little excuse – at least his contribution is usually much better than that.

Sigurdsson, Richarlison – this was dire. And I just can't believe how bad Gomes was. Didn't get to bed till 3:00 – and lost my credit card (if you've got it, please use it to buy that banjo off DCL).

So it was amateur hour once again. Another let down. Calvert-Lewin was useless. About as much dynamism as a wet lettuce. Missed an absolute sitter. He should not ever be first choice again. I wouldn't even put him on the bench. Tosun hasn't left yet so if he stays put him on the bench instead. Our only tactic was to get the fullbacks down the wings to get crosses in. Once Villa nullified that we were finished.

There is no point in going through how lousy we were because it was obvious for all to see. We need to change our tactics. We have to get our forwards nearer to the goal and that means 4-3-3.

On Wednesday we should be playing our strongest side. No "resting" players. Although I wouldn't mind seeing Sidibe instead of Coleman. He had a mare last night. I want to see Gomes, Sigurdsson and Shneiderlin as a middle three. Gomes and Schneiderlin as defensive midfielders and Sigurdsson supporting the attack. The full-backs can provide the width.

Finally I want Iwobi, Kean and Richarlison as the front three. Bernard is a decent player but he's simply too lightweight and his passing leaves a lot to be desired and pushing Richarlison and Iwobi out wide under our current set up isn't getting the best out of either of them. Iwobi, Kean, Richardson would give us the pace, strength and dynamism we need up front. Not to mention it will get us more shots on goal instead of endless crosses that are simply repelled by big centre-backs.

Silva has to be brave. If we lose to Lincoln on Wednesday it will put a massive downer on the rest of the season. We bought these players to play so let's see them on the park.

Pickford
Sidibe - Mina - Keane - Digne
Gomes - Sigurdsson - Schneiderlin
Richarlison - Kean - Iwobi

But let's be sensible, we've lost our best two players and replaced them with 'jobsworths'. And how do you expect to have a decent season without a decent striker?

Last night was like an echo of a Martinez display. Defenders playing it across the back from standstill positions, nobody running into space with any progress via long balls badly directed. And all those crosses from the wings so easily intercepted by the opposition.

Rough times ahead as we await big changes of manager and coaches around Christmas. Woe is me. And the rest of us.

I bet that took a couple seconds: strengths = 0; weaknesses = 100000's

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Richarlison Gomes Delph Iwobi
Bernard
Kean

But most of all, I'd like to see a bit of passion. We should have put Villa away, there is no conviction. We controlled the game for 20 mins and should have been 2 up but at least we are creating. I just hope we react to this poor result in the correct manner.

We played so bad was also due to our profligacy in front of goal, the whole game and the players' mentality changes when the other team gets the goal, else the frustration sets in and then safe sideways and sloppy passes.

Iwobi, Tosun, Kean and Davies should all get their chances now after just 1 goal in 3 games. It won't be a bad defeat after all if Silva has learnt a lot from it. We needed that to be honest. Adeniran or Baningime should also be in the squad to challenge Morgan's place until Gbamin gets back.

When we are away, whoever we play, I always think the home side gets one-goal start. It shouldn't be, it's just a pitch the same as Goodison is... but that's the way it usually pans out!

It's not taken long for reality to set in, has it, we are likely to be mid-table like we are most years.
We have a squad full of slightly above-average players, with a manager who the same can be said of, ability-wise.

Absolutely criminal that we never replaced Lukaku with a proven Premier League striker. Hang your head, Everton — joke of a club

I genuinely cannot remember a time when our midfield and strikers were so anonymous. Gomes was quite simply having a mare and I don't think he could have played worse. One point in the second half when he didn't give the ball away found himself in front of goal under no pressure from 25 yards and chose to pass. He is a good player, for me it shows his mental frailties which is why he didn't make it at Barca. Hopefully he will be able to draw a line under it and show us the quality we know he has.

Calvert-Lewin underlined why he should not be a starting striker and suggests to me he needs some serious finishing training. Yes, he is young but I think there are younger strikers in the league who would have finished his chance.

What concerns me is how long Silva waited to make the changes. He needed to take one of Gomes or Schneiderlin off and I don't understand what Tom Davies is doing not to be given a chance.

As someone said on the live thread, Mirallas would have got that Walcott chance on target, I am sure. Need to try and palm him off next window.

I'd be playing that 4-3-3 also, but the problem is that none of them are ready to play in any formation at the moment, they're all so underwhelming as individuals and as a team.

There isn't a single one of them who would make it into the Man City or Liverpool teams at this time.

I don't think the formation matters that much, it's the players themselves have to find some balls from somewhere.

When I wrote "At least he's [DCL] young and still developing!" I was being ironic.

I do think he actually did develop reasonably well in the latter half of last season – but he's got a long way to go yet if he's going to get a tune out of that banjo and cow's arse.

We need to stop deluding ourselves about our signings being better than what we already have. To suggest replacing Coleman with Sidibe misses the point completely. Our problem is that our midfield is rubbish, we have no strikers as of yet, and we have a manager who appears to “pre-decide” before each game what changes he will make irrespective of the performance.

He continues to play Schneiderlein, Walcott & Calvert-Lewin even though all have shown they are not good enough. He discarded McCarthy without giving him a chance and the same applies to Davies, whose days are numbered, it would appear. To be looking at dropping Coleman to solve the problem is bizarre!

Nyarkoleptic

Besides the banjo-player can't strike... a note!

@Gerry 279

If a player is lacking form and you have a replacement you drop the player and pick the replacement. No player gets a free ride and that includes Coleman. He's done nothing so far this season. We brought in a decent player as cover, something we all wanted, in the summer so let's see what he can do because I doubt he could be any worse.

Also players aren't bought because they are necessarily better. They are brought in to add depth to the squad and give the manager options. Obviously the current 11 are playing poorly so the new players are entitled to show what they can do. That's the point of having a squad.

I agree on signings. We tend to celebrate any new arrival as being obviously better than the "dead wood" then before long the "new" guy is part of the dead wood. For example, we had Gueye, Gibson, Osman and people were saying they were deadwood. Then we brought in Besic and McCarthy who people started calling deadwood. Deadwood striker Jelavic replaced with Kone, Niasse, Tosun.

I think part of the issue is that partly due to money, partly due to standing in the game, we rarely get top players. So we roll the dice on players who could be top players barring some deficiency and we hope to correct that issue -- and fail.

For example, Gomes and his depression/confidence, Bernard and his weakness/lack of goals, Siggy and his integration into a team that isn't entirely built around his set plays.

So here we are again with the new batch, Iwobi, can't score, Gbamin can't keep possession, Delph can't stay fit. And we are hoping against hope they all shake off their flaws. But history isn't on their side.

Something behind the scenes is wrong although I don't know what. I hope MB can get a handle on it.

Talking of slow and weak, did you see Shane Lavery scoring the other night in N Ireland versus Qarabag? Absolute determination there, just powered by a defender (sent him flying) ran half the field, wonderful finish. I realize it's a much lower level than the Premier League but, in terms of his physique and attitude, I could see why the kid was compared with Rooney. Sadly, most of his mates who stuck around have the backbone of a jellyfish that has just been steamrolled.

Loving the look of that team. At least the striker will get some support and more people running beyond, which Sigurdsson isn't capable of.

I admit, this is a very risky attacking team. But, it looks more like a top 6 side, bustling with pace, energy and movement off the ball. It needs to be given a go.

Sigurdssson and Calvert-Lewin need to be on the bench too, with a point to prove, coming on for 10 mins, maybe, if needed.

Are there good and bad coaches?

Can a good striking coach, coach a good player into being a good striker?

I ask these questions because our striking coach is non other than the "Legendary" Duncan Ferguson.

I am assuming he is working constantly with Calvert-Lewin to "improve" his finishing.

If it isn't working, is the coach's fault or the player's?

Or, as many claim, you can't successfully coach a striker, it has to be born in you.

Will be interesting to hear your opinions on this.

Gomes isn't fit after his ankle and he's ‘doing a job' for the team, possibly with the aid of painkilling injections after not training and not being expected to play.

Villa were at home for the first time back in the Premier League and there was a cup final atmosphere.

The players everyone else is bemoaning the manager for not picking aren't match fit and anyway haven't pulled up any trees when given a chance.

We have to get Sigurdsson fit. He and Gomes are the difference. The idea of dropping him for the unproven Iwobi or one of our most effective outlets in Bernard, are preposterous.

We have to work patiently back to the team which was having success towards the back end of last year, not throw it all in the bin and start again. That might take another 9 months to gel.

Let's accept that we lost our best player in Gana and we have still dominated the teams we've come up against but are yet to really click.

When Sigurdsson, Gomes, Richarlison and (presumably) Kèan are fit, we will be a different proposition but until then we might have to be patient.

I for one will be happy with a few 1-0's until then.

One criticism I will make of EVERTON is being unaware of Wesley during the transfer window because, at £22m, he demonstrated to Calvert-Lewin and our Italian protege exactly how to play as a lone centre forward in the Premier League.

When Silva made his subs it was still too late because it does take time to slot into any game. What I found frustrating was that he didn't take off the right players. Calvert-Lewin should never have even come out for the second half.

We now have a decent period of time to get the new players fully blooded. We definitely need more speed in midfield and hopefully Kean can be given a few complete games to show us just what he is about. He has already shown promise. Amongst all the dross, I was really impressed by Mina, in both tackling and distributing.

Despite everything I still think we have the basis of a decent team. Hopefully we are not just waiting for one more window to open. If everything stays like Friday, loyal fans will be jumping out of open windows; yes, it was that bad.

Well, for those who will not accept mediocrity, and who accuse others of doing so, can I ask this? In what way will your unacceptance be manifested? What the actual fuck are you going to do about it, other than come on here and cry?

We all are entitled to our views and I thought last night was disappointing. However, those who think that any of us are not disappointed really need to think before hitting Submit. There is an odious culture of always having to apportion blame.

Those who see themselves as better Evertonians should let us know of their plans to change things. I will join you. When do the protests, marches etc start?

"No matter what anyone says about Mirallas, he is a better player than Calvert-Lewin and Walcott"

Seriously? Mirallas the guy given a heroes welcome at Panathinaikos who was so bad they told him to clear off? He had a couple of decent spells about 10 years ago. On that basis, we could say Danny Cadamarteri is better.

You're probably right in saying that Calvert-Lewin has lost confidence, but the bigger problem is that he's not a natural finisher and even with confidence high you're only looking at 5 goals per season.

He'll do okay in the Championship; but the age he's at now, if he hasn't got, he'll never have it.

I'd add to that those who think it's as simple as picking a different team from their vantage point of their couch or their seat.

No-one knows what Silva is really up against in terms of fitness challenges.

It's naive at best and arrogant and stupid at worst to stand there and say you should pick X, Y and Z and that would fix everything, especially after the credibility Silva has banked following the final few months of last season.

I am not knocking Abrahams at all here, but up until today he has been getting hounded on social media and subjected to racist abuse by Chelsea fans who think he is crap. So, rather than Calvert-Lewin looking up to him as a "good striker", I'd say it's more a question of comrades in arms as both are young guys trying to make their mark in the game and being hammered by fans.

I am going to protest about last night's performance by going to a bbq this evening and getting quietly pished! Had the performance last night been good, I'd have got noisily pished.

I DO NOT fuck about when it comes to protests!

I had a look at Calvert-Lewin stats:

81 games in total - 10 goals

And I'm not just picking on Calvert-Lewin, I don't think any of our superstars would get in the top 6 teams

In part, I agree that Silva seems to play anyone except those who were here before him but the argument falls down when you think of Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Calvert-Lewin.

Having said that, I don't understand how Davies seems totally out of Silva's thinking, even allowing for him sticking almost to the same team each week, that is, keeping on with players who seem totally out of form.

Sacre Bleu. :-)

I don't buy this 'not match-fit' stuff. Apparently Richarlison isn't fit because he played in the summer. Iwobi isn't fit because he didn't play any games in the summer. Although I assume he had a pre-season with Arsenal considering how late in the window we bought him. It would appear that, if a player has a tournament in the summer, he's not fit for the season, yet a player who misses a pre-season isn't fit either. So playing or not playing in the summer produces the same result. Unfit players. Ridiculous.

As far as I'm concerned, any player on the park or the bench is fit to play 90 minutes of football. If he's not fit, he should not be picked. So I won't accept "carrying injuries" as an excuse for lethargic displays.

I guess you and Paul will be marching with torches to the ground to show fucking Moshiri that you are proper blues who take no shit.

Let's not ignore three very mediocre efforts against poor teams.

Drawing large conclusions from three games is bonkers. I'm happy to agree we were poor, of course.

‘As far as I'm concerned any player on the park or bench is fit to play 90 minutes of football.'

Well that's very convenient for your argument but it's wrong and that's proved by any amount of testimony.

Sometimes, more often than understood by fans, professional footballers are playing hurt or debilitated in some way.

Look at Keane playing in one boot two sizes too big for most of his first season as he fought off infection as an example. Another one is former Arsenal player Sabri Corzola who nearly lost his leg to gangrene.

‘If he's not fit he shouldn't be picked'

Who do you pick then? You're only allowed to register 25 senior players. By your rationale you would only have Davies and Schneiderlin in the whole matchday squad.

Regarding your first point about tournaments and no tournaments, the point is about rest.

You have to give bodies time to heal after a season. There's a difference between healing and match fitness. Yeah they could just remain ‘match fit' from playing a summer tournament but then they are more susceptible to injury later in the season. They have to be completely rested, then fitness rebuilt. This takes weeks.

Staggering as this may seem, Everton and other professional football teams pay physios, doctors and other medical professionals thousands of pounds for the advice they follow and, frustrating though it is that we can't get a tune out of our expensively assembled squad, your layperson's opinion counts for nought.

Palace beating Man Utd means fuck-all to the fact that we were shite. We have no striker, but worse for me, we cannot play football when we go a goal down. As 11 men, we just seem to say "Fuck it, there is no way we are going to score 2 goals."

So yep, great for Palace but that results means jack shit for Everton.

Keeping to the football, last night was a disappointing result and performance. No question. But as someone who leans towards optimism and positivity, I can't align myself with those condemning everything and everyone associated with the club as some have.

The first 20 minutes, we looked every bit a top-six side from back to front. I thought we just had to breath to win this game, such was our control.

We were calm and unflustered in our possession and passing in every corner and situation of the pitch. There was good movement off the ball to open up good angles for the man in possession. There were some speedy and excellent transitions the length of the pitch which cut Villa to ribbons. The home side was being run ragged.

But then poor passing between Bernard and Gomes resulted in a cheap foul 70 yards from our goal. Both switched off. A quick free-kick caught us out of shape, but still Villa should not have been allowed to score such a soft goal.

No problem. We're playing well. Just do what good teams do when going behind: stick to the plan and you will get your reward.

Sadly, the remaining 70 minutes exposed us as not yet belonging to that elite group. We never got the control or dominance of that opening 20 minutes back again.

It's not a new phenomenon. I was shocked to hear in commentary last night that it is FOUR YEARS since Everton has got up to win a game that they were losing at halftime (2-0 down away to WBA that we won 3-2).

Genuinely good teams, teams with just modest fighting spirit, are capable of better than that.

The issue for me is a perennial one which has more to do with individual personality and character than actual ability. An absence of narks, players with a streak of nastiness, a driving desire to win and turn any situation into a winning one.

It's to be expected and it's frequently demonstrated on these pages that individual posters have particular players they will only champion and players they refuse to see any merit in, no matter how badly or well players from either sphere perform.

I am no different. I also have players I rate higher than others. But I also consider myself fair in my game-by-game assessment of the team and individuals. And, over the 90 minutes, I thought the following:

Pickford, Digne and Coleman were exempt from any severe criticism.

Keane the poorest of the centre backs, but not radically hopeless. Mina the most imposing centre back (and certainly not a hapless accident waiting to happen, as some claim), even though up against a physical centre forward well up for the challenge.

For me, Schneiderlin was the pick of our midfielders. Held position well. Mostly played the right ball for the situation. Displayed the most varied and imaginative range of passing for the game situation.

Gomes was WOEFUL. No fitness issues for me as some claim in his defence. I am yet to see the great play maker some make him out to be.

Bernard, Sigurdsson and Richarlison flickered rather than illuminated the game and were subbed out, but given how poorly Gomes played all three potentially offered more on the night than the Portuguese.

Calvert-Lewin is a player I have constantly defended, but he HAS to start taking the few chances that fall to him as per last night or the legitimacy of questioning his worth to the team will only grow.

The same might be said of Walcott. Iwobi looked the best of the subs and as mooted by some looks like the alternative for Siggy's position (rather than play Bernard there as some lobby for).

Other than the chance he created for Digne, I thought last night was Kean's least impressive minutes of his cameo appearances to date.

Given what I wrote earlier about the absence of nasty narks, I fancy Silva can't wait to get Delph fit to add some bite and leadership to the team.

Now if in the eyes of some the above assessment makes me a moron, someone meek, submissive and too easily accepting of mediocrity of what I want for Everton FC, then so be it.

But such casual and dismissive labelling of fellow Blues by some carries absolutely zero weight for me. Rather, it exposes the shallowness of the posters to make such claims.

As we showed in the final third of last season and in 20-30 minute spells in the first 3 games of this season, we have some talented players who can bind well as a team.

To lobby to sack the manager and label players as championship level at best after just 3 games IS reactionary and hysterical IMHO.

I think the present management will change that. If we don't run them out of town.

Also, you are doing the same thing that you are accusing the so-called happy clappers of doing: Inferring that you are being more discerning (your words) because you won't accept a couple of bad results while others will accept mediocrity. I don't believe that's the case.

All I'll say is that there has to be a certain amount of realism. So we sack another manager and Director of Football. Brands is also on the board now. How many millions would that cost?! Answer, an absolute shit load.

Just saying sack the people buying and picking the team is just a populist reaction. The thing about the populist stance is that they never have the answer when it comes to the finer details. So, in other words, what is your solution once we sack them?

I think it comes down to mentality. You've got to be strong mentally to go to an away ground and spoil the party. The good managers manage to do this, and usually quite quickly.

People have mentioned that mauling we got from Villa, the 6-2 one. They were a pretty decent side. I do remember though Howard taking over Man City not long afterwards (a crap Man City at that), and within a few months they went to Villa with the cameras in a relegation dog fight and battered them. I remember thinking 'God, I wish we had him back'.

Besides he is NOT picking the side he would have been given a directive to get players in, which he mainly succeeded in doing. Most of the new players were not being played anyway.

I can however, understand people's infuriation with Silva, when we go a goal down the whole pile of cards, which he has chosen by the way, generally come crashing down. We shouldn't need to have a Roy Keane, Neville or Cahill type character to spur them on.

These are professionals, and very well paid at that, they should be able to roll their sleeves up and socks down, and try to avoid the embarrassment of being beaten on their own merits.

Not someone to hold their hands, and point them in the direction of which they should be well aware of going. I have said on many occasions Silva is too predictable, stubbornly resistant to mixing things up a bit, and the result is not only boring, but repeated too often.

When you address Andy Crooks in the manner you have, I rather think it's a case of mistaken identity on your part.

I don't see Andy making any of the claims you attribute to him.

Yes, I agree with your post wholeheartedly.

Another observation about last night is that, while Schneiderlin wasn't as bad as some people were making out (Gomes was much worse), I think Schneiderlin should be the one who makes way for someone with better energy, so Davies or Delph while Gbamin is injured. Alternatively, we just drop Sigurdsson for Iwobi or Bernard. McGinn and Grealish highlighted just how slow that triangle in the centre of the park actually is.

I do think you have been a little harsh on Gomes, not with regards to last night but this season in general. In the first game I felt we were dominating the game until his injury and when he went off the team seemed to totally lose impetus.

He apparently didn't train for most of the week yet made himself available. I like that he was determined to play despite not fit. I thought he was decent again in the first half against Watford but looked tired and became more ineffective in the second half.

Last night, he was shocking and I agree that Silva would dearly love to have Delph. It seems to be me that if Gomes doesn't perform others are either incapable or unwilling to take up the mantle.

This happened last winter also and while he wasn't missed after his stupid red card the team were already on a role at that stage.

I would also say you have been quite kind to Sigurdsson who has been a passenger in all the games. I was really impressed with Iwobi and he should have already had two assists but not for poor finishing. This bodes well going forward.

The other thing I would add is that Villa have got some decent players; Mings, Engels, Guilbert, McGinn, Grealish, Jota and Wesley all rose to the challenge.

Gomes is better than that performance and Sigurdsson has to get more involved as a creative force.

Everyone else was a 6 or 7/10 performer for me if you watch the game objectively. Definite room for improvement but not disastrous as some are making out.

As I have followed Everton since the early 50s I have been privileged to see some of the great and some of the not so great #9s and I do not think that Calvert-Lewin at this time in his career is showing enough to show if he will improve.

At this stage of the season I can not accept the excuse that some people are talking about, and that is lack of fitness. If a player is not fit he should not play as this may cause a serious injury, and this is fully the responsibility of the manager and his coaching staff

I still believe that at #9 we should have gone for someone more robust that would have upset the defense, as we have had a few before (Hickson, Royle, Ferguson and even Rooney had that nasty streak) and I may have been one of the few that got exited when D Simone (pardon the spelling) was mentioned.

As we will have to go with what we have got my preference would be Richarlison in the middle with Iwobi on the right wing and, if we got a couple of goals, move Richarlison left and bring on Kean.

As was previously stated, we started really well yesterday but, once they scored, we had no-one on the pitch or sidelines that was able to motivate the team..

It is a little early to start calling for changes, but it is strictly up to Silva to start showing if he is up for the job.

I would stick with Pickford in goal, same starting defence then the rest for me would be Davies, Iwobi, Delph if fit with Kean leading the attack.

I would bench Calvert-Lewin, Sigursson and possibly Richarlison, with Walcott not in the squad.

I would even consider Tosun getting a starting spot alongside Kean and change from the lone striker.

However, in Brands's case I'd really like any of the posters with negative posts to say what he's done that is so bad?? I don't get it at all.

He's been cleaning up the mess of Walsh, Koeman and Big Sam, and in my view doing a largely successful job attracting a higher calibre of player than those we were signing under the previous management.

Yes, he got to fixated on focussing on signing Zouma and should have looked for an alternative earlier, there were variables out of his control, like Arsenal signing Side Show Bob from Chelsea. Personally, that's the only thing any one could bring up for moaning about him.

Gbamin is going to be a big miss and we are seriously short of athleticism in the middle. Delph will have to hit the ground running and stay fit.

Wouldn't you also consider giving Davies a run in the side?

To be a truly effective force in that role, I think he needs a proper weights program to bulk him up and improve his speed.

They change quickly in football. Now, I would play him in Schneiderlin's role cos, while I think you're right about Daves, he still has better energy and mobility than Schneiderlin. That said, I would still be playing Delph instead of Davies, but he's been a sick note up to now and will probably break down again, no sooner he returns.

No hard feelings, mate, I've had a few myself.

I don't believe in ghosts. I 100% recognise a CHAIRMAN shyster as being 100% responsible for reducing our club to the level of Leicester and Wolves.

It wont be long before people are talking bout "THAT miss".
In over half century of watching Everton I have never heard any miss discussed as much as this one.
In fact there re two myths being created. The chance has already become chanceS. apparently DCL has missed load of others.

"Five yards out" says the fool who clearly doesnt know what the six yard box is.

"An open goal" Says the guy who seems oblivious to the fact that there was four men on the line all ready to break their necks to keep it out.

Two of my passengers driving back from Birmingham called it the worst miss they have ever seen. Really ? it wasn't even the worst miss of that hour - Wallcott's doesn't seem to count though.

Lets be clear here Calvert Lewin should have scored, no two ways about it. A confident striker would have done. . . but any reasonable person who watches this team, knows this is the first real chance he had had for about four fucking months. Anyone who claims they have not seen the worlds top strikers miss worse chances is deluding themselves.

The band wagon is gathering strength. I notice some of the people who very recently supported DCL are now ingratiating themselves with the "majority" and telling the old side splitter about the cows arse and a banjo.. . I've just watched the game on the box and Jamie Carragher has clearly latched on to it. Even he was talking about all these mythical missed chances.

Top teams will create average of half a dozen chances a game. Their strikers know that if they miss one, another is just around the corner. . We have five "creative" players who have been little more than passengers in since the season kicked off.
Anyone who thinks Kean or Awobi can come into this current Everton team and score freely, is not only being unfair to the lads. They are deluding themselves.

Calvert Lewin will never be a Jimmy Greaves those who complain about that fact simply demonstrate their ignorance. You don't teach natural finishing, otherwise there would be fucking hundreds of them.

It's a really good idea to fuel the Jamie Carraghers of this world. To howl and exaggerate every chance that doesnt hit the net. to ignore the cause and focus on the symptom rather.

One of the new boys will be given his chance up front soon. Lets see how quicky we can blame him. Lets see how quickly we can exaggerate and invent "missed chances". Lets see if we can put a big fuck of monkey on his back. . Lets see if we can make the knot in his stomach tighten a little further on the rare occasion one of the passengers actually creates a chance for him

The fact he isn't a finisher isn't his fault but you don't have to be a top finisher to have made a better fist of his attempt just as you don't have to be to have done better if you were Walcott who actually had time to a touch on his woeful miss.

You are right that there is the a real lack of chances being created. As such, when they are, we need our forwards to bury them otherwise we are in for a long hard season.

Silva has to sort this out quickly because the way we played at the back end of last season has been sussed out. His conservative approach is no different to the football Koeman and Allardyce were serving up, we're back to zombie football, let's see if Silva can save his job again with a change of tactics.

Calvert Lewin isn't good enough for Everton Football Club. He is barely good enough for the Brighton HA's and Burnley's of this division. Its fans like yourself that drag the club down with their lowly ambitions and persistence with players and things that are just not up to scratch, "but hey, let's stick with them because they put a shift in".

It was interesting to hear Peter Crouch talking on the podcast about his barren spell across the park and how following Benitez's instructions affected his goal scoring. The fans and the media were all over him but Rafa was very happy. Dominic is doing what's being asked of him, probably to the detriment of his own game and certainly his popularity with a big section of the fanbase.

Appreciate that all three performances so far have been pretty average, but do some people on here really think that sacking the manager is the answer this early in the season? After the awful post-derby run ended last season, we turned a corner and were playing some great stuff and doing what previous managers couldn't do in beating a few of the top 6 sides. I thought (unlike with Koeman) that Silva showed resilience and ability to take the bad run, turn the corner and then get the team performing at a level we all expect.

Whilst I have no idea whether Silva can evolve into a manager that can lead the team that competes at a level above the 'best of the rest', surely just changing manager every couple of years just removes any semblance of stability.

That has to change if we are to move forward, DCL should be taken out of the firing line now for his own sake, otherwise it could completely ruin his confidence. It's happened before to much more experienced players like Jelavic and Johnson, both ruined by playing the lone striker role at Everton.

I'd hate to be Marcus Rashford this morning. He only had the goalie to beat from twelve yards and still couldn't get his shot on target.

You did make me laugh out loud.
You single out a player who has never been more than a stop-gap for you bile and the irony of exonerating all that dross around him is completely lost one you.

I know and see Calvert-Lewin's shortcomings. However, unlike you, I see all the rest of the players' shortcomings too. I know they are not top six players and again, unlike you, I wont be apologising for them.

The only thing I find myself apologising for these days are Evertonians mug enough to think we lack ambition because of ONE player.

People like you hand the fun to kopites on a plate.

Do you honestly think fans who are questioning Calvert-Lewin's place in the team are expecting him to be like Jimmy Greaves?

Picking on Calvert-Lewin goes back to the days of Osman etc and why people need a whipping boy is beyond me – why not support and encourage your own players? Silva is struggling to find his best team from what is available, just like he did last season. We can't score which was also a problem last season.

Kean starting won't make much difference because we are not creating chances. Against Villa, our midfielders were back to the tippy tally 3-yard passes of the Koeman era because no one wanted to take responsibility. Morgan won't put himself in the firing line and did little all game. Gomes lost confidence after a few poor passes and Gylfi yet again seemed off the pace and contributed nothing summed up by his ridiculous chip from 50 yards or so which dropped gently into the keeper's arms.

This was the area where the game was lost, not the young lad busting a gut working for the team. Play Kean and Iwobi with Calvert-Lewin, get rid of the short sideways or backwards passing and instruct the team to get amongst it, work at some pace to win the ball and then attack.

If DCL then can't score then maybe the critics are right but for heavens sake give him a chance. I still think he has it in him to be a very good CF.

The point remains though; I have seen dozens and dozens of posts from people asking why he doesn't do what people like Aguero, Salah and even Fowler do/did. It's like they think they have spotted something nobody else has seen. They don't seem to realise they are stating the blindingly obvious... again and again.

It winds me up that, when I try to share the blame around and point out the problems throughout the rest of the team, some blinkered clown comes along and tells me its MY lack of ambition which drags the club down... Oh the fucking irony.

Anyway, I'm off to get my barbie started. I don't want to be in a bad mood before the people I've invited get here.

Us blues have got to try and salvage something out of what has so far been a twat of a weekend.

Not too long ago we had 3 No 10s, now we have none. All we have is, out of form / injured / not fit / I've got my contract now, individuals. Playing (badly) in all of these modern individual mid field positions.

NO MID FIELD UNIT - be it of 3, 4 or 5 players.

It used to be said, why do we have five in Mid-Field, the answer was; because we don't have a four good enough. So if we struggled with five, why do we expect a permutation of ones do a decent job.

But taking the cue from the ones I did read, mainly about Calvert-Lewin. Why has he been singled out as it was a shit show from every player. Furthermore, I'll sit down with any critic of DCL and watch all three games, to count how many times a midfielder bust a gut to get in the box; I'd be surprised if happened once.

What's the point of DCL holding the ball when no ones giving him an option? Silva's got to realise that 4-2-3-1 which we've played since Martinez isn't working, it's too predictable. Currently we have nothing going through the middle, we hit the wings asap and then what? Cross the ball to DCL who'll be all on his lonesome.

It's weird to say this, but the international break can't come quick enough.

That's exactly what I did yesterday, travelling up to Padiham to watch Marine play in the FA Cup Preliminary round. All was going well, the Mariners going 1-0 up.

15 minutes to go, the softest of headers was bouncing gently towards Marine's goalie, who just needed to pick up the ball. Instead, he waved it into the net.

The salvage operation turned into desperately clinging on for a replay.

Gbamin has come in, unproven, but probably will reach a good standard, but now looks out for a couple of months. We will totally rely on Delph coming back in and hopefully doing that No 6 role as no one else can do it. As well as covering for Gomes defensively he also has to help shore up a defence weakened by Zouma's departure. Can he do it, we'll find out, if not we are either goosed or Silva does a major switch in formation.

Upfront - it doesn't matter if we have the best clinical finisher in the game, if he doesn't get the service he will never score. At the moment we have gone back to being slow, deliberate, hoping one of the full-backs delivers a quality cross, because there isn't the movement, quickness of mind in Sigurdsson, Gomes, Schenderlin, to play through a congested middle.

Outwide - neither Bernard nor Richarlison are capable of beating a man.

There is a team there somewhere, it's what formation Silva switches to, to accommodate the players we have, and hoping that we keep the XI players fit to play. Losing Delph, Gbamin to injury, having to wait for the likes of Moises Kean, Iwobi, Sidibe, Richarlison to get match fit, in what as a very lean squad is causing so many issues.

Against Lincoln he has to play his all his new players, 100% ready or not, get Delph on the pitch, and try possibly a 4-3:-3 formation. He cannot rely on Gomes and Schneiderlin to defend and create in a 2 man midfield, they can't do it. Give Sigurdsson, Bernard, Coleman and Calvert-Lewin, a rest and a wake-up call, and try out Kean, Iwobi, and Sidibe.

My team would be : Pickford, Sibide, Kean, Mina, Digne, Davies, Delph, Gomes, Richarlison, Kean, Iwobi, assuming Delph is fit, if not helplessly Schederlin again !

I don't see Calvert-Lewin being singled out for harsh criticism. I see the harsh reality of his 3 performances so far this season being discussed.

He hasn't looked a threat at all and this for me was his big chance to really grasp his opportunity. In my opinion he has failed to do so.

He has not had an abundance of chances created for him but generally his all-round contribution has even been quite limited. If he backed himself he would even deviate slightly from a game plan and go looking for opportunities and try to make them happen. He would ruthlessly demand more from his team mates. He would gobble up a half chance, such as his effort ‘off the line' against villa.

He hit the target but he never looked like scoring. What disappointed me further was when Iwobi hit the post, Calvert-Lewin stood statuesque in the 6-yard box. This for me is not the activity of a player looking to seize the opportunity he has.

True, others around him have been very poor but they have all shown at various points throughout their time with Everton (with the exception of Mina) that they have an ability to perform for our team.

I like Calvert-Lewin, he has many qualities. But he is not top quality. I'm happy for him to be a squad player with Everton.

I think one of the problems we currently have is that Morgan does not enjoy showing for the ball, and thereby giving #Gomes more options. I don't mean to be having a pop at Morgan for that, it's just the way his game is. Ironically Gueye used to be the same, until he gained a new confidence in the last six months and would show much more for the pass.

In contrast to Gomes though, I can't remember Sigurdsson in the game. I'm still not sure if that is a fault solely down to him, or if the system just isn't working. But we can't afford to just carry someone who doesn't affect the game for half an hour at a time.

We invest millions and don't play him – what an absolute mess. Him, Iowbi and Gbamin should be on the team sheet. Makes you wonder who's running the team.

Get Jose!!! Before we become a laughing stock... Sorry, Silva, you're are not a good enough manager. Nice guy though. 😂

For the 2nd time in his career Schnides played a very good forward ball. Well done him.

DCL still getting into good positions and his shot was on target.

Gomes played well with little or no support.

The wingers all tried hard and played reasonably well but their crossing, passing and shooting needs to be better, faster, sharper and more accurate.

Mina made some good tackles. Pickford some good saves.

Coleman probably my MotM for guts, effort, trying to defend high and got forward well. Just lacks that quality final ball.

Not concerned if we lose or draw, in fact let's be honest and say another cup upset is on the way.

We need our defenders and goalkeeper unit to be better, so they should all start. Good test for Mina.
I'd give final warnings to DCL and Schnides. Perform, score and generally contribute positively to v the team or be fine

Schneids wasn't too bad on Friday. And he is not a Silva signing. He was an expensive Koeman/Walsh signing who currently has no kind of resale value worth considering. It's right in these circumstances that Silva picks him I think.

I'm sure if Silva had the chance to have kept Gana and dispense Schneiderlin then he certainly would've done. But nobody wanted to pay big money for the Frenchman and Gana wanted to leave.

Gbamin has clearly been identified as a replacement for Gana and was to be given time to settle in. To play Schneiderlin in the interim period is clearly the plan and not such a bad one, a French international who performed to a very high standard in the premier league with Southampton.

The only other options would've been to have kept a player that didn't want to be at the club or to have signed a ready made replacement. Not the option the regime chose because they must fee that Gbamin will come good and will be worth the bedding in period. They couldn't have accounted for him getting a terrible injury

I know it's hard when you're very attached to the club, because we take it personally. Our three results were predictable, though, a draw with Palace – it doesn't look too bad when they win at Man Utd; we beat Watford then get beat at Villa. They were no way two goals better than us, in fact, the result could have been very different. As they say, though, look at the scoreboard!

The midfield is the engine room of any team and ours is largely misfiring. Villa's first goal was a cracker, so simple and that is the sort of play you very rarely see off us.

It's very early days yet and we will get better I've no doubt, but Silva needs to change his selections because we have only one way of playing at the moment and the opposition are ready for us.

The injuries to Delph and Gbamin are doing us no favours, and it will interesting to see what Delph brings to the party when he gets to play.

I'm confident we'll be knocking at the door come the end of the season, as usual, but top six I'm not getting my hopes up about achieving that.

But you have a point, while I have never been a great fan or believer in Marco Silva, I actually thought he was proving my skepticism totally unfounded towards the end of last season.

After a joke of a pre-season, in terms of preparation, mind you the squad know a lot about chocolate, cuckoo clocks, and White Water Rafting (always a handy combination in a Prem game of Football) and a few decent acquisitions in the Transfer Window.

I thought, looking forward to the new season, where my optimism was further enhanced by a kind fixture list, here we go, things can only get better.

Three winnable games later, where we have only seen glimpses of the new boys, the fitness levels have to be questioned, why so many injuries, even from players who haven't kicked a ball in the Prem yet?

He is sticking with the same boring and unproductive formation with basically the same players, standing on the touchline shaking his head, with arms folded like Tweetie Pie. It's like a designer of a piece of machinery, who has selected every component, then expressing his disgust at it's stuttering performance as if he had no part in it!

I think questions have to be rightly asked, when Moshiri came on Board, it was like a prayer had been answered from above, at long last we could start to compete with the Big Boys at The Top Table. It was patently obvious that Moshiri knew little about Football, but that didn't overly worry me, because he was providing long awaited funds.

Roberto Martinez (who was already on board) started off okay, but then went into decline, but who advised him to head-hunt Kloghead Koeman, at considerable cost in compensations, with both the departure of Roberto and the money to Saints.

We all know what happened then with Koeman/Walsh and the writing was again on the wall, more compensation! Then Allardyce, things seemed to be getting worse instead of better. More writings on the wall for probably the most disliked Manager we have had, oh, and more compensation.

In the meantime, Marco Silva was again, as with Ku-Klux-Koeman, being head-hunted from Watford. Why, who had been in Moshiri's head again? Oh more compensation claimed, but not as far as we know paid, unless it was covertly hidden in Richarlison's fee.

Getting back to Jose, not Hose B, would he come if offered? Would he stay if things weren't going to HIS plans, playthings and pacifiers have been known to be forcibly ejected from the Mourinho perambulator before now.

In summation Marco Silva is not doing a lot to endear himself with the fans, in either his team selections tactics and most importantly results, or lack of them. While I don't think at this juncture it would be prudent to dismiss his services, (more compensation) I just hope there is a change of tactics, on and off the field, which of course should be reflected in results.

It wasn't the shocking performances of Gomes, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson and Richarlison that cost it the match. It wasn't the open goal that Walcott missed. It was the miss by DCL from his one chance with the keeper and four defenders lined up to block him. Can't believe I got it so wrong. :)

Going on the first15-20mins of yesterdays game Silva has his tactics rite the problem I see is he has the personnel wrong. I am not against Calvert-Lewin but I just believe he will not improve, and that is why I wondered why Richarlison is not being used as the central striker, a position that he proved successful at last season, with Everton and Brazil.

Yes we need a better striker and I believe that was what Kean was bought for,but at the same time due to his age and inexperience with the premier I think Silva is doing okay bringing him in later but not by putting him under to much pressure by using him to chase the game.

The criticism of Calvert-Lewin is undeserved as the player is doing his best; my criticism is with Silva for using a player who will not improve no matter how long he plays. and not using a player who was successful at that position

Calvert-Lewin only has his current place in the team because of his "Target man" attributes, else he's not even as good as Niasse as a pure goal scorer. Also his youth is helping him stay on the pitch, Silva believes at any moment he could win the lottery and DCL will transform into Gary Lineker.

For all Tosun's faults, lack of pace being the main one, he's a better finisher than both Niasse and DCL and should be playing ahead of them. And another one who can finish better than DCL is Mirallas. That's how poor we are upfront at the moment.

Why do you think we still have Niasse and Tosun? Niasse is not even a footballer and I doubt if anyone will take him even on a free as for Tosun as you point out is not a bad finisher but has zero pace. A striker without pace is not worth a carrot again no one will take him unless on a free

Tottenham lost to Newcastle so clearly must sack the manager.

United lost to Palace so must clearly sack the manager.

We are 3 games in. You simply cannot judge; unless obviously you have an agenda where you are looking to justify the judgement. Sky sports & the treat every game like a cup final mentality has bred an unwelcome hysteria into the modern supporter.

I'll maintain my traditional approach; see where you are at Christmas and don't get too worried about league tables prior to that. It's served me well; if we applied this "2 games in and we're doomed" strategy, Moyes would have been gone 2 or 3 years into his 11 year reign and "Sir" Howard Kendall would have been gone early 83-84 as the leaflets demanded . just before he went on to be the most successful manager in Everton's history.

We're such a wise bunch us emotionally charged supporters!!

Coming on here and being the better Evertonian, an Evertonian who is not "dragging the club down", is just spouting meaningless nonsense. Let's hear your ideas, how you plan to take this beyond the site. Tell us what to do, because believe me, Silva is not going to read this thread and think, "Holy fuck, now Steve's annoyed as well... better buck up my ideas!"

Criticism of the coach, the players the board is fine. Criticism of Evertonians who are not slashing their wrists after three games is utterly lamentable.

By a result I mean all three points, considering the amount of money that has been spent under Silva's reign, there have only been limited signs of improvement towards the end of last season, but the League position still ended up worse than anticipated.

His intangibility to change things around a bit too gets under peoples skin, his attitude towards both Cups last season was also a bone of contention and a disgrace.

Personally I don't think we would achieve much by sacking him, at such an early stage, but if performances don't improve and results too, people will be baying for his blood. Let's hope we can beat Lincoln on Wednesday or the pitchforks, torches will be out in force, and there could be a lynching at Finch Ranch!

At one point in the game, we were attacking just outside the left side of Villa's box and, instead of running toward a gap, he backtracked into three Villa players. The man is shite... end of — just like Davies.

Grow up, Blues! I and thousands of others are sick of this crap... close the door on the way out — and take Blue Bill, and the fraud Ferguson with you.

There's clubs who'll take Tosun, it's the price we're asking that denies a move or loan, we still value him.

I stand by what I said, either Tosun or Niasse given decent chances to score will do so much more than Calvert-Lewin. Tosun definitely out of that three.

I'd would much rather have had Tosun in the box against Villa than what we had on Friday. Take your choice a striker with a lack of outright pace who has reasonable chance of putting in a decent shot or one with pace who kicking a ball around on Goodison Road can't hit the side of the main stand from five feet?

Just when is Silva going to ditch the cautious approach and get Kean and Iwobi in as starters and let them show us what they can do?

Ffs, I think Norwich's new signing, Pukki, has scored 5 already. That's more than DCL will probably produce all season!

Until Gbamin returns and integrates into the faster style of play I think the key to get us shooing and scoring more goals is sorting the formations of Bernard, Iwobi and Sigurdsson, and first things first is dropping Sigurdsson and playing either Iwobi or Bernard as the No.10. against Lincoln. I'd also give DCL and Kean 45mins each

Maybe Brands could make an effort into doing our incoming business earlier, but the drawback might be that we have to pay bigger fees. Brands seems to prefer hard negotiations either to get a better price or because he'll go the extra mile with his main targets

Possibly the most laughable comment I've ever seen. Villa were chasing shadows and unable to retain possession in that period, and it wasn't by choice.

Within something like the first 6 minutes we'd had 2 decent ‘shouts' for a penalty.

I was surprised we (and the commentators) didn't make more of Mings ‘running interference' for his goalie, and I can't see why hip on hip contact that knocks you over isn't a penalty. Would have been two soft ones but I thought we were in the age of zero tolerance with VAR and the ridiculous handball edict.

The challenge by Grealish on Richarlison would have got you a free kick anywhere else on the park all night, including the one that Grealish was smart enough (and back on his feet) to take quickly.

I'm not convinced anyone else would have put the chances away either and that's the problem.

Can Kean be the scoring machine we need?

At the moment, people are saying it's the end of our hopes, forgetting of course that Spurs, Man Utd, Chelsea, Wolves etc also lost. I do wonder do we compare ourselves to Man City and our Neighbours who both have far and away the best teams in the Premier League?

If we think we are going to match them soon, well think again. We are far behind them due to Manager's being hired who were not up to the job and a Board that frankly didn't have a clue and allowed a Chairman to issue ridiculous contracts both to managers and players. Now thank goodness we have Brands and Silva, have patience and let them build a team worthy of NSNO.

When Michael agrees with me, I think he is a top editor, when he doesn't, I think he is not. Neither he or Lyndon sit on the fence. Michael's, as the match goes on commentaries, are unique and heartfelt but, If you look at this thread, if he is setting a tone, many of us are not following it. What he and Lyndon provide is nothing like any other fan site.

Jumping on bandwagons and all that. We all move with trends and views to some extent. But thankfully most of us have the common decency to realise that what we express is sometime half right, often half wrong but in the end some footy banter rather than a battle of our own egos.

And in the end, if it became a game when some fans did actually know it all, then it would be time to pack it in as they would own the club from their success at the bookies!

I recon you might of missed his covering tackles, positioning and playing the balls that Gomes refused the risk on. Its available on catch up.

Haven't we seen so many of them over the years and far too many last season? But yes, they still keep coming.

I've never seen a player pass the ball on so quickly, and then offer nothing once he's got rid. He never tries to turn out when it's tight, fuck just give it back to we're its come from, even though the space has been reduced, and I thought Gomes didn't want to give Morgan the ball at times in the second half the other night, because he knew he'd only get it back right away.

Covering tackles that's good, but such little drive, and never drawing a man in before he passes the ball, is definitely not the way to play in midfield.

One little episode on Friday's game, him and Gomes, who was also very poor in that game, exchanged four or five passes in the first half. Gomes was on the left nearest to the touchline, when Gomes finally gave the ball back to Schneiderlin who had loads and loads of space to play the ball to two or three Everton players over on the right, he gave it right back to Gomes.

Schneiderlin doesn't want responsibility, does the very least he can do. He doesn't do a lot wrong because he gives the ball to the nearest Everton player to him. He is a phoney, if he had played in the street with me, when I was a kid, I'd have fucked him off. Football is to be enjoyed and do the very best you can, not pass on the responsibility to someone else.

I'm glad you enjoyed George Carroll's post, so did I. First time I've seen a post off George, I hope I see many more.

It's surely Gomes's role to stride forward with the ball, picking out the pass. Not that he could pick out anyone on Friday. Schneiderlin has a lot more to offer and does take the easy option more often than not.

Then again, every single thing he does is under a microscope, nearly everyone on here is just waiting to jump on his back. Same with Walcott.

The whole team just hasn't hit that intensity required yet. I'm hoping when they do, we go on a roll. Confident that Iwobi and Kean will get their starting spots soon too.

Thanks for giving me the kudos for building the bandwagon, setting the tone, and driving the herd of cats that are TW posters along to my agenda... as if!!!

Funny that you call me out for "never missing a chance to have a dig" about the manager? In truth, I hardly ever mention him. I think I'm still giving him time (although I'm increasingly wondering why?).

I made a couple of mentions in this match report because (1) his team selection was baffling to me (although we did not know about Gbamin); and (2) I find his timing of subs is absolutely infuriating. Not sure anyone who was on the fence or giving him the benefit of the doubt would suddenly find themselves agreeing with me... but if you say so, George.

There is a belief among some Evertonians (perhaps the older ones) that we are all cut from the same cloth, that we all think and act the same... or worse, that we should. A quick perusal of any thread should disabuse you of that old-school thinking.

Some do try to force their thinking on others: a classic example is regarding Calvert-Lewin, who some believe should never be called out for his abysmal finishing, with at least one poster slamming everyone who dares to point out this basic flaw, with 'bandwagon and 'scapegoat' not far behind.

I just give a bit of added colour to what I'm describing is all, George. I've never told anyone they have to follow along, sorry.

Every poster should be able to evaluate the performance of the team and the players. When that descends into relentless and illogical abuse as in the case of DCL - a young, developing player - those who push back hard are categorised as "forcing their opinion on others". Those who are doing the relentless bashing are not castigated in the same way.

The key to what is deemed acceptable seems to be whether the editor likes the player or not. That is to be expected I suppose because it is all about opinions, but Lyndon is more balanced in this regard.

If you work hard at Everton, (this rule probably applies to every club in the world) then regardless of your ability, the fans will usually respect you for your honest endeavour, and that is why him getting a game for us, is so very hard to swallow for me.

That is the problem, George, we want to match them but we appear to have a Manager who is playing the same system that he did on Day 1 and his record seems littered with barren spells and losses to clubs who do not seem capable of even matching our 8th place finishes. Meanwhile, those clubs who are filling positions 4, 5 and 6 seem to be maintaining their positions, in all competitions, while undergoing transition periods under new managers.

I would be more encouraged if we occasionally saw some indication that he can implement something other than this one system or even occasionally rested/dropped under performing players.

75 years... Fantastic support, Sir.

I think you are being a little harsh on the editor here. I remember when I first visited TW and the infamous MOB were in full swing.

Michael Kenrick clearly hated the fact that Moyes with his "glass ceiling mentality" was our manager, let's face it, he wasn`t alone and during the latter seasons of his reign grew increasingly frustrated. He moved through the ranks of many dissenters to the point where he right at the forefront of those leading the charge.

In fairness to Micheal, it all kinda stopped there. If anything, I think he has given the managers who have followed Moyes far too easy a ride.

Its a difficult one for Michael and Lyndon. If they stay silent, They would be accused of being fence sitters with nothing to say. If they express an opinion they leave themselves wide open to claims of taking sides.

Always a pleasure to hear from people who have forgotten more than the rest of us know, George.

"Legitimate criticism" ? You really are having a laugh.

For criticism to be legitimate it has to be fair. For criticism to be fair it has to be even handed.
I know you don't live in the UK and would have trouble getting to games, so I will leave match day abuse out of this. I would simply ask yo to do what you suggested George should do . .read these pages.

If Everton dont win, one man will dominate almost every thread. He will be mentioned more than all the other players put together. It doesnt seem to matter how bad the rest of the team have been. A blind eye is turned. The game against Villa is a classic example. Richarlison, Benard and Sigurdsson were truly truly abject. Digne missed a great chance, Wallcott missed the best chance we have had this season. Take those facts into consideration. Then have a look through your threads. Your live forum . .Although we all agree that we have a real problem scoring these players barely get a mention. Calvert Lewin has shouldered virtually all the blame for us not scoring. His chance was a good one, but with four players on the line it was nowhere near the formality its been made out to be

Legitimate criticsm ??? Its not even consistent. One minute people are complaining he doesnt get chances because he lacks the ability to get in where it hurts and get the chances. the same people will then accuse him of missing a shed load of imaginary chances . .it cant be both.

When people who have previously supported the player suddenly start talking about Banjo`s and Cows arses after missing his first chance of the season, you know a bandwaggon is gathering strength.

I know you will refute the claim that people who have progressed to the first team come in for more stick than players who have come in for big fee`s, but I have seen too much of it to know different, so have many other posters. More examples will be found on another current thread. I`m staggered people are saying Tom Davies should be in league1 and could not do better than those superstars midfield, players who so shamed the club and all of her supporters will their gutless, wittless, spineless, couldntgiveafuckery last Friday . .judging TD on merit ? my arse and if they are their criticism is not legitimate because they are not extending it to the other players.

I dont care if people say players coming through are not good enough, not as long as they are being even handed and comparing them to other players currently in the squad. I simply dont get the hammerings they give them. If you dont think the guy is good enough blame the fucking manager . .there is no mileage whatsoever in hammering the boys.

Trying to "force my thinking on others" or standing up for the players who are being destroyed by this poisonous onslaught

There is no doubt you certainly defend our young players, I think we all like to see young players come through and for me especially home grown scousers like Tom and Jonjoe. Although he isn't home grown DCL came from Sheffield and joined our youngsters in the Under 23s. I remember the great Colin Harvey making his debut and for a while he was criticized but not for long.

But I don't think fans go out of their way to critisize youngsters, maybe we just perceive that to be the case. Certainly I can think of many of the current squad who have come in for more criticism than Calvert-Lewin namely Schneiderlin, Mirallas, Niasse and Sandro.

I do believe that it is very hard to lead the line in the Premier League, and sadly for Dominic not scoring in 14 games is only going to increase the pressure. I personally believe for his own good Silva needs to take him out of the firing line for a few weeks and try and restore his confidence then bring him back.

Like any other supporter I have my favourite players, and some less favourites, I may at times criticise players of both groups, but I never play the 'blame game'. criticism and praise are applied in equal measure.

I know that Michael takes the view that it's 'perhaps' the older Evertonian who thinks that we should all think and act the same, I challenge that statement because it's based on supposition. I believe that the big difference is whereas the older supporter could vent his spleen to his mates in the pub (maybe eight or ten), today's fan has a world wide audience. I'm old enough to appreciate that it's not the players fault if he isn't up to the standard required, and vilifying him at the match or online serves no purpose.

The criticism which Schneirderlin and Mirallas receive stems from them being sent home for having a. . lets be kind and call it a, "not very professional attitude". No fan will accept that, especially given the fact that these two have previously shown they are gifted footballers. Their performances for Everton have been a disgrace to the profession.
I don't accept that either of them have come in for anywhere near the kind of grief DCL and Davies. Just read the last three match day threads. Davies didnt feature and is still getting slaughtered on a current thread.
Mirallas despite taking a fortune from the club has been forgotten.
I think the same could be largely said about Sandro. He signed a very lucrative contract and virtually disappeared - out of sight meant he was, out of mind.

This is ingrained into the culture of our club. I cant believe anybody would deny Hibbo and Ossie didnt come in for the treatment over a sustained period of about ten years. . Again, they only ever gave 100% and between them, They won more games and accumulated more points than all of the superstars who have followed them will ever manage.

I cant/wont accept the argument that the players who come through our ranks only receive "legitimate criticism" The evidence is quite simply overwhelming - I wont go through the list of abused players again.

I do think there is a certain absurdity about hammering players coming through. Not only is it a mindless and destructive practice which can only ever have a detrimental effect on our club. It doesnt even target the right people.

If you don't think a player is good enough. blame the fucking manager/s. He's the one who puts him in there in the first place.

You are right don't blame the player blame the manager for picking him. As I said in my post Silva needs to take DCL out of the firing line, as his confidence must be at a low ebb. Funny the only young player not to have got much stick was my school mate Tommy Wright. He went on to play for England and a nice guy as well. But I don't believe that anyone is above criticsm whatever age or whatever fee was paid. Once selected they then represent our club and while on the pitch should always be supported, I have never booed an Everton player in my life. First it just undermines the player and also gives the opposition a lift so how booing players benifits us I have no idea.

But once the game is finished then I see nothing wrong in offering opinions on all the players, and this is surely the reason for these sites so people can give their opinions. And of course there will be massive differences of opinions from one player to the next, but thats what makes ToffeeWeb interesting.

Catterick sold Bobby Collins to Leeds which most of us didn't agree with and bought Dennis Stevens from Bolton. Every time Stevens touched the ball a section of the crowd booed him, thank heavens it stopped in the end. But he never really hit the heights that Catterick had hoped for.

The year after we sold Bobby Collins, he won the PFA player of the year, not one of Catterick's best decisions.

My main concern is Wednesday night in the League Cup, we can't even afford to draw this away game Marco,s o please play a strong team and just get it won. I'll even take going through by the shithouse route (penalty shootout).

Just WIN IT !!!.

I do not accept that older Evertonians think "we are all cut from the same cloth". You only have to read the comments to know we are a broad Church.

though there may be a few agnostics here and there... NSNO

“Alex and Moise both understood what I wanted”.

“Fabian is an important player for us, he can play number 6 but other positions too. Maybe it is time to change the way we play.”

As Brian points out, It serves no purpose. Save the abuse for the players who don't try (few and far between) and those with the wrong attitude (Mirallas). Incidentally, Brian, I do remember Tommy Wright coming in for the odd bit of abuse himself but nothing compared with Sandy Brown!!

There is no way you can get away with Mina, Keane, Schneiderlin, Gomes and Sigurdsson all playing at the same time right down the spine of the team.

That has to be the slowest, least dynamic group of players, collectively, playing down the centre of the pitch in the whole league.

They're not bad players individually (except schneiderlin, don't get me started on how he is still here - let alone still getting in the team ) but it's not the right balance to have them all lumped in together. Far to one paced.

Please never start this five together again!

Although I don't rate Schneiderlin I cant say he's had an atrocious game recently and why people single out Sigurdson who was our leading scorer last season is beyond me.

Ray,
I totally agree with you. The turnaround in form last season was enabled by the crowd getting behind the team. No player deliberately plays badly and most don't need to be told theyre having a bad game.

We keep getting told that if we don't have expectation we are accepting mediocrity but I would also advocate some patience and heartfelt support would go a long way in the rebuilding process.

Jay, don't disagree (schneiderlin apart), wasn't saying they're bad players or criticising individual performances. Was more a comment on silva and him needing to get a balance in the team with players that compliment each other, not all share the same main weakness in their game. Didn't think that would be controversial.

Darren, most people are just reflecting back what they see during the game. It's not a vendetta. These players are not being singled out, as you wrongly but repeatedly claim. No more than the other poor players whose criticism of their mistakes you miraculously ignore in your desire to bang one particular and increasingly boring drum. If they weren't making obvious and horrendous mistakes, I don't think you'd see anything like the number of comments being made.

Everton fans want to see good football. They are not stupid, as you try to make them out to be. They see the mistakes. They see the failure to perform to the required Premier League standard. Inasmuch, I totally support and will fulsomely protect their right to comment thusly on these pages.

Why do you try so hard to belittle them? To devalue their opinions, while elevating your own into the stratosphere of some godlike divination that we are supposed to kow-tow to? Sorry, lad, but it ain't gonna happen. In the words of the Old Bard: Thou doth protest too much.

And its ok to mercilessly hammer them but wrong to defend them?

If you were to have a TW poll about whether players coming through took much harsher criticism than the big signings... Do you think I would be in a minority or majority?

I`m not attacking individuals point of view, I`m attacking what I believe to be a culture... It's something I would love to change, so yes I guess I do have an agenda.

However, you have my word I will not be using this website to do it in future.

For me it was typical EFC, and the lack of cutting edge and switching off at key moments was very frustrating.

It's still early days but the preseason signs that were evident are now becoming facts.

I hope that we can find the right balance by the time we play Wolves.

That game last season is very fresh and they dismantled us at home with ease.

But we need a fighting spirit and a Peter Reid, gutsy middle fielder, presence to give and take and keep the shape together.

May be Delph if fit can take that lead but the lack cutting edge is gonna cause us big problems if not fixed soon.

Final word and condolences to Bury FC, and their fans.

Terrible news and the EFL, must take account as this could be the start of many lower league clubs, folding.