Everton not good enough to stop superior City

EVERTON TEAM NEWS:

Pickford, Coleman, Sidibe, Mina, Digne, Holgate, Delph, Bernard, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

City will always have a potent midfield and attack whoever they play, but their back four of Mendy, Fernadinho, Garcia and Cancelo, plus Bravo in goal, can definitely be got at.

Can we exert enough pressure in and around their penalty to exploit them?

Hopefully, Carlo has a cunning plan.

I think the midfield trio is Sigurdsson, Delphi and Bernard. Mina as anchor Centreback, with Coleman on the left centre back, becoming left back with Sidebe in front of him. Holgate Centre Back on the right, moving into the right full back position with Digne
in front of him. Sigurdsson and Delphi will come deeper with Bernard having a free attacking midfield role. Richardson and Calvert Lewin high pressing, knock downs and attacking the ball on the near post and centre.

It is a Offensive Everton today.

To quote Lyndon on twitter: "How do you suffer an impact injury in a warm up?"

However, it is refreshing to hear Steve McManaman say Ancelotti was going mad when we were constantly playing backwards. Maybe, he will get us playing to our strengths in the second half by playing a bit more direct, paying faster, and using Calvert-Lewin's aerial ability against City, as he has shown he can beat them.

Nice to have you in the trenches alongside us.

That was a good half by Everton. Weathered the early storm. Kept calm. Still playing it out from the back. Putting some yards into City's legs chasing the ball. Keeping them largely at arm's length. Maintaining for the most part a disciplined back line and continuously catching them offside.

Not allowing them to get in behind down the flanks as they did a couple of times early in the half. Arguably, Coleman's chance in the opening 10 minutes is the best one of the game.

Quite a compliment that Pep modified his line-up to accommodate us.

Pickford solid. Mina having another blinder. Holgate composed. Coleman could do with a little more help from Sidibe when defending. Digne quiet. Delph also composed. Davies in their faces. Siggy delivered some nice passes, but coughed up possession to easily also. Richarlison needs to hold up the ball better. DCL really not seeing much of the ball.

Could get something from this. But then, their bench is pretty awesome.

Good half of football from us.

I've been in the trenches for 50 plus years by the way. I'm optimistic for the future. Just commentating on THIS game, against an under strength City.

Yes we've got injuries, but should be much better .

If we play in anything like the same way on Sunday, we will be trounced.

One to put behind us very quickly.

I think Carlo will know that we need a dynamic wide player/winger and a classy lockpicker of a central midfielder.

Too much breaks down with Walcott whilst Bernard has lovely feet he's really just much of a muchness now after a promising start to his Everton career 18 months ago.

We would benefit so much from midfielders that regularly chipped in with goals also, you look at the goal return from that particular area of the pitch and it's not very nice reading.

On to Sunday, that's the big one let's not kid ourselves, hopefully we can go there and get a replay from it and get them back to Goodison under the lights.

I think it remains that our biggest problems are in central midfield. Of course, we are still without long term injury victims JP Gbamin and Andre Gomes. Neither are guaranteed to make a full return. I think we need to go all out to sign a top central midfielder. Doucoure could have been an option, as he was out of form, and Watford were clearly heading for the drop. But he's back on form, and they are back winning, so I doubt they would sell him as they now have a fighting chance of staying up. But I think Brands needs to find such a player on the continent who can get hold of the ball and drive us up the pitch quickly. I think we need a centre-back as well, but that can wait until summer as it's in midfield where we need to make changes to win these games.

Too easy to pick at individual players.

But the positive is that we've got our basics back. We're pretty organised and you can bet we'll carry on fighting in games. That have would have blown out in the past - not now.

We played three direct balls to Calvert-Lewin near the end and nearly nicked a point. The players don't seem to trust themselves to put a decent ball into a dangerous area.

Have we ever been good at corner kicks since the days Moyes had Cahill and Fellaini?

I feel now rather than get a corner kick we should just let the opponent have a goal kick it seems that pointless because even when we do send a decent one in none of our lads ever seems to win the bloody thing.

Yes tonight was poor from start to finish but the last 20 minutes we at least showed some spirit. A bit disappointed how negative we were considering their defence and we were never really in the game. Perhaps we just didn't have the legs to compete after two tough matches. Now need to get ready for the cup.

We were NOT garbage.

Poor marking and then poor recovery by Mason Holgate - who otherwise played well - gave them the all-important opening goal just 5 minutes into the 2nd half. That changes the entire complex of the game.

They vastly improved. We started looking leggy. But even so, more poor marking by this time Mina - who otherwise was possibly our MoTM - let in Gabriel Jesus who showed with both his goals the benefits of having such a predatory finisher.

Ancelotti didn't meekly surrender the game. All his subs were bold and somehow we dug deep and got a second wind.

Personally, I was surprised Richarlison stayed on. His sole contribution to the game was to first intercept Bravo's poor clearance then follow up to score. Otherwise, he looked burnt out today. Very poor hold up play and didn't get past his man once running with the ball.

City clearly the better side. They merited the win. But praise to our boys too for not folding and keeping us in the game into the final second.

No way would a 5-0 result have been a 'better reflection of what went on today.'

Ancelotti came in after the Arsenal game, he had 5 days before his first game against Burnley. Then he had two days before Newcastle. And now 4 days until this one. And that's without thinking about how many days we played the last 6 games in.

The players have been playing one game per week for most of the season, they are not conditioned for two games a week like the likes of City have been playing for years. So, when we play 6 games in short succession, it is going to have an effect. Of course, they are physical athletes and can handle it, but if they are just 1% off their peak of physical fitness it can show significantly. City were able to rotate and play a slightly weaker, but fitter, line-up. Then there is the mental element. I believe that this makes the bigger difference, as that's what the pros seem to talk about, that it's harder to be "switched on".

Anyway, as above, Ancelotti's only just arrived. The games have come too thick and fast for him to do anything other than just prepare them for the next game. We have one more game to go in our sequence, the Cup Derby at Mordor. Then, Don Carlo has the time to work with the players as we shift back to one game per week. This is when he can get hold of the players and work with them.

Let's also not forget that we have the "winter break" this season, we are one of four teams to play on 8/9 February, but we have the following weekend off. I'm sure Ancelotti will use this free weekend to take the players away for some warm weather training and then we can see some changes.

Keep the faith blues.

Let's just hope we do not set up like that again on Sunday, need to have a go and get further forward

I'm hoping that we can keep it tight, keep it steady and not panic in possession like so often at Anfield we do, and hopefully we can believe in ourselves that we can get a result there.

I know people are saying relegation is still an issue, of course it's a possibility because the league is that tight, but for most fans the whole of this week the talk has been focused on the Merseyside derby this Sunday.

If we can still be in the Cup draw on Monday night then that instantly gives the club and fans another big boost.

I agree. I know people on her love him but we can't be trying to move forward playing Davies and Gylfi etc in midfield. We need to improve the spine of the team in the summer but this month we definitely need to bring in a midfielder who can bring the ball forward and speed the tempo of the game up.

Our current midfielders give what they've got but theirs not enough power and pace

Not me, you, santa, Carlo or Jesus himself could make this lot into winners and challengers Brands needs a serious plan for requisite wholesale improvements and it has to start this month.

The Carlo honeymoon could be over before he's put his PJs on the bedside table otherwise

City are obviously superior but there were no positives in that game for us. I agree, let's see what happens over the next couple of months once Ancelotti gets going.

City were quality, but Everton kept at it, which is something I hope is going to be the norm for us now, but we lacked pace and guile in the middle of the pitch, and once we find this, we might not be as far away as it looks right now?

Today also showed we badly need a midfield player who can keep up with the play offensively and defensively, but most importantly who has enough skill to unlock the opposition's defence and give our forwards opportunities where they're one on one with the keeper instead of having to beat players to get shots on goal. It must be hard for our forwards when the first action of our defence and midfield is to go backwards.

With all the other results going against Everton, we are still only 5 points from relegation. I don't understand why Sidibe and Walcott continually get game time; defensively both are huge liabilities and both continually give the ball away when trying to execute the most basic of passes. Yes, Walcott had a shot on goal that missed. Lucky for us, Richarlison was following in and slotted it home.

Wishing you and your wife a Happy 2020!

Not too unhappy but I'd like to see us a bit more positive in possession, the lack of midfield creativity/goals certainly suggests new signings needed this month

Glad to hear you wife is improving.

A good start to the New Year.

Interesting that Ancelotti was not happy with passing around the back and slow getting the ball forward.

I expect us to move up that league table this month and next month with the run of games coming up.

My concern remains that Ancelotti is not a top coach who can build a side from scratch. He has never been one to go on the training pitch and make players into something different than they already were. This is what Silva was meant to do. To take some raw materials and craft a side out of them.

The window is open now. We will either get the (ready made) players Ancelotti needs, and he can put them together like a jigsaw puzzle to build a side, or we go out and get a top coach who can do the coaching for Ancelotti. And by the way, forget the paper talk of Beniamino "Mino" Fulco. He is Carlo Ancelotti's son-in-law and a nutritionist, he is not some dynamic young coach.

One weakness that I spotted with Davies is that he waits for the pass to come to him, rather than moving on to it. This loses him time and allow opposition players to bottle him up , spoiling his play and results in loss ball, as he loses possession.

Five games, 15 points. And no, I'm not kidding.

I'm not ready to give up on this season just yet. Carlo will make us better.

The squad is lacking real quality in all areas of the pitch.

When Klopp improved the spine of Liverpool's team with Allison, Virgil and Fabinho they were transformed.

Whilst we may not be able to do it all at once we need to in the next year or so do the same thing otherwise we will continue to sit behind the top teams

Generally, we looked dangerous on the break. It was pleasing to see us trying some balls over the top to run onto. The substitutions were positive, and we at least had a good go at them, especially in the last 20 minutes. But to get anything today, we would have needed all 11 players to be at it, and we only had about 7/8 who were at it.

And how long did it take him, how much did it cost?
He was given time and resources. There was a point 3 seasons ago where nutters were questioning him!!

With Gomes, you have to fear that his ligaments might be messed up. Ankles and ankle ligaments are tough things to injure and some never fully recover from damaging them. He relies on his ability to get a foot in and turn sharply, using his size and strength to shield the ball and either draw a foul or hold the man off and play the pass. Without a 100% recovery in the ankle he would not be able to do this, and so would lose a significant part of his game.

No real penetration, but we kept at it and whilst he's nowhere near just yet, I'm glad Moise Kean, is getting more game time, because this is the only way it's going to go for him, eventually, and there does look to be a player in this kid?

In central midfield, where we do need to freshen things up, even the likes of Beni Baningime is injured. I'd have loved to see Gordon get another game. Carlo is clearly looking at him, but he is another who thinks he is not yet ready.

Other than Gordon, you're talking Antony Evans, who really is a championship player. He just needs the loan to prove it. At 21, his time is running out, and he is not good enough for our first team, just yet. A good loan and maybe he might kick on.

Ellis Simms is still adapting to the u23 level, he is not ready and he is only 18. Gibson and Feeney are injured or just back. Kyle John looks an interesting talent in his conversion to right back, but he's a long way behind Sidibe and Coleman. Tyler Onyango looks a fantastic midfield prospect, but he's only 16. Then there's really no one else. So, don't look to the u23s mate. We're struggling this season for good reason.

Don't just take my word for it, Brent Stephens never misses a home game (I think he lives close by to the ground in Stockport!), and I bet he won't disagree with me.

Ancellotti said before the game its a good chance to see where we are at. Now he knows. Sunday will also tell him more.

The squad needs major improvements. Always did. Quality is lacking and there is too many youngsters having to go through rough patches.

Our 2 wins were narrow and I was made up with them but realistically we haven't played a good side since early December.

Burnley have lost at home to Villa, their 5th defeat in the 7 games since Marco Silva was sacked and Dyche mentioned as a possible replacement. They are now just 2 points above the relegation zone.

Bournemouth's 4-0 defeat at West Ham has now dropped them into the relegation zone and they have taken 4 points from 21 since Eddie Howe was touted as a possible replacement for the sacked Marco Silva.

You can just see it - we will be blamed for these two clubs recent demise and how their managers are were unsettled.

Me, paranoid? I'm an Evertonian. Course I am.

We took them on with effort and heart more but when we tried to play at the same pace we continually gave the ball to them. It is going to take work, organisation and individual improvement but when we can do that we will be top 4.

That's really worrying on those injuries to Gbamin and Gomes. No offence but I really hope this prognosis is wrong?!

When are they expected back?

I wonder if any of our USA posters know of any suitable players from the US league that could be a suitable loan option?!

But in context, new boss, heavy fixture list, little training time, it's a good return from 2/3 games.

Why we stood off and gave them so much respect kills, but the effort and belief of the last 25 mins, should be shown from start to finish, and by the whole team.

Against our neighbours hopefully, we will shoot from outside the box, and show for full belief and will close down and get the communications and simple passes in place.

I'm very pleased and take hope that we have a great manager, and given time, patience and support can turn Everton around.

Now to rebuild and get up for a proper full battle for 98 minutes at our old ground on Sunday.

They have to be if its true.

John 46. Made up for your Mrs and wish you and your family a better time going forward.

With both Gomes and Gbamin, I hope the fears are misplaced. Regardless, I would sign someone this January to replace them.

Not good news regarding Gbamin. I was looking forward to his return. It puts the rumours regarding Rodriguez in a different perspective.

Gomes won't want to risk too much, when he returns. It may take him a while to rehabilitate.

Schneiderlin will definitely be playing the FA Cup. match.

It's seems that Everton do nothing else but but midfielders.

'Son is one dirty player ', said that to my nephew who was watching Chelsea g Tottenham as I left to go home. Heard him get sent off on the car radio. Had the cheek to do the same hard luck act and appeal the read card.

Before that big effort needed on Sunday with a week to rest before BHA.

Time to prepare for Sunday.

So much shite we need to get rid of between now and next summer: Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Tosun, Walcott, Bernard, Niasse, Delph, Kean. None of these players are good enough in my opinion to move the team forward so a massive overhaul is needed. Ancelotti must know these are not good enough.

Off-loading the shite we have won't be that easy, I suspect... The players he will bring in will definitely be better than what we have now. I just hope they can adapt to the rough and tumble of the Premier League. We will find out soon enough.

Over to you Carlo Good luck

We needed to go long early. I would have also played Kean from the off.

I expected a City win but wanted to at least scare them a bit.

We need some strength down the middle. Ancelotti has to bring in at least one centre mid in January.

John Cook @ 46, good luck and god bless to you and your Mrs.

Getting something from City was always going to be difficult and a bonus

We just weren't up to the mark today. Our players were tired, their players are very good. Carlo wanted a draw, He set up a defensive, Italian defence. Had Seamus's effort gone in, or Mina scored on half-time, his game plan might have worked. That didn't happen.

After that, we were always going to be stretched. It wasn't a disaster, move on.

I think Carlo will be looking at bringing in a quality proven centre midfielder soon, initially on loan maybe. Probably someone he has worked with.

I liked the formation and selection. I didn't like the tactics. Sitting back often made us have a flat back five. We got way to deep. Playing around the back curtailed their momentum however we didn't draw them onto us and try to go over their press often enough.

Their back line was aerially challenged and we simply didn't attack them at their weakest point. When we belatedly did they looked very vulnerable. Our corners which were not great still yielded chances and free headers. That long direct pass never really came until late in the game. It's seemed, sadly to come once the game had gone.

Pep loses games when the ball is contested and the second ball becomes a lottery, he hates losing control of any part of a football game. Ancelotti didn't exploit our key strength here.

A couple players who stood out for me for the wrong reasons. Coleman, ‘looked' like he had a decent game, but his tendency to turn inside and back when receiving the ball, may have kept possession but it gave us nothing going forward. SidIbé maybe a lunatic, but he offers much more and once the game opened up he became brighter. His ball to Kean, for example something Coleman will never give us.
Tom Davies really struggled, mostly because of the late inclusion but he was second to everything.
Overall, a very timid performance but Ancelotti's changes did affect the game.
Ancelotti will get a great idea from today of what the team can do against better opponents, I expect an adjustment for Sunday.

3 at the back is risky when the team you're playing has 3 elite players across the front. They cause confusion with quick movement between the zones. Jesus found the gaps especially well.

Liverpool destroyed us in Marco's last game. Hoping Ancelotti bins off 3 at the back for the cup game.

I suspect it was part of a plan but one we failed to execute.

about 8 top quality players. You were lucky to just see them two highlights of Holgate and Coleman. From an Everton perspective pretty dire

I could not have been more wrong. We deservedly lost to a better team. Despite the result I wasn't nearly as disappointed as I had been when we lost earlier in the season. I still saw some positives. I thought Pickford,Coleman, Calvert Lewin, and Kean all put in a decent shift, but thatis not enough against a team like Man C.

On a final note and one that many may not agree with, I really don't think we are fit enough. I am fully aware that it is tough at this time of the year and we do have some significant injuries. I just think we are often outrun and don't close down opponents quickly enough.

I am very confident that Ancelotti will be aware of the problems we have at Goodison. I have a lot of faith in him and I do think that he will have learned more from todays loss than he did in the two wins that we had.

There are so many injured midfielders that it's virtually a case of 'if you're fit you play' and no chance of being rested. Now Bernard has rejoined the list!

Not surprisingly, City bossed the midfield but when we did get the ball we seemed to promptly give it straight back. Not a good idea against City!

The January window priority must be to strengthen this area.

You are right regarding Rodriguez. He looked to have it all, but subsequently was as you say a luxury player. Having thought about it, I go back to my original opinion that he does not fit Brands age profi!e and would be similar to what we have got.

The big problem in midfield is the same as it has always been lack of speed of movement and pass completion. There where numerous misp!aced passes and slow play forcing the play side ways.

I wonder if Sam has any ideas on who would be suitable and available. He had high hopes for Gbamin.

In my opinion Brands and Ancelotti will have a meeting next week. Hopefully we are still in the FA cup. Our neighbours will want to concentrate on the Premiership and the Champions League, so I believe that game is up for grabs.

Brands and Ancelotti would want the extra games of a FA run and will make a assessment whether the present squad can achieve European qualification.

I have my doubts that they will purchase in the January transfer window. It is more likely to be loans, unless Zouma or Docoure are purchased. The squad is more likely to be strenghened in the Summer Transfer window. Unless Ancelotti has someone in mind for Brands to look at.

Ancelotti will have learn't alot about the potential of the squad and area that needed worked on. It was not beyond the realms of reality that Everton could have got a equaliser today.

This is the third match under Ancelotti and he will know that it will take longer to get Everton playing to his required standards. Everton have a good run of fixtures in the early part of the year where Ancelotti work on tactics and coaching p!ayers in the basics of their team role, should pay dividends.

Ancelotti did say in his recent press conference that it was difficult to change things, given the number of fixture over Xmas and the New Year.

The priority I think will be for a strong midfield ball winner that can pass, plus a commanding central defender,hopefully Gomes will be back with the injured French midfielder this month to help in midfield.

It seems Ancelloti will be playing for the highest points he can get for this season and make plans for next season, this will give him the chance to check on younger players at the club himself, instead of taking the word of the coaches. Before buying he will see how many of the present playing staff are comfortable in the playing style and system he wants to implement

Although the league is irregular with the results. I think he has been left a major problem to get to about the 8th position with a chance to make it to the 6th position. We may have a good cup run but fate has dealt us a cruel blow, with us hoping our opponents put out a weakened team

I believe Ancelloti has been brought in for the long haul not the short one and this season he will just stabilize the club and make a serious attempt to get into a European competition next season.

If Moshiri doesn't/cannot find the money to facilitate such enterprise Ancelotti's star will, in the world of obscenely overpaid players and agents, wain just as fast as Ranieri's did at Leicester City.

Ancelotti's contract needs to be respected by Moshiri by way of providing very significant funding immediately, otherwise he and we will be deemed by the football world as a continuing lame duck, as we have been throughout Kenwright's tenure.....

....... and by the way, nobody but some of US alone now recognise our 'istory.

We seemed to play better when we went to 442...but it could've been City eased up a bit.

Had we gone 442 from the off, we might've scored more...and still been on the wrong end of a new year goal fest.

I said it about Silva, I said it about Koeman...and probably the others too...'The game, alway was, always is, both won and lost in the Mid Field'

Until we get a Proper Midfield Unit be it of 3, 4, 5 whatever - and not a collection of poorly performing...and sometimes it has to be said, poorly selected, Individuals, playing in seperate individual positions, DMF, (X 2 ffs) No. 10, No.8 etc, etc. Not much will or can change.

Oh and some Intensity - Ferguson Vs Chelsea, even Suarez, Rogers and later Klopp have shown what that brings to your results.

I don't think that Klopp will put out an Aston Villa League Cup kids team this time. But a full throttle performance on Sunday could get a result if they're not too arsed.

I don't think we'll see big money spent this month, maybe a couple of try before you buy loans.

We will get enough points to be looking up the table at who we can reel in, (Sheffield United minimum) not down to see who is on our tails

One game at a time and review in June, where the Euros will complicate matters for July and August.

As has been mentioned our Centre Midfield was not at the races, they were off the pace, too far away from the action, and appeared scared to try and win the ball. Against an outfit like City, that is inviting the inevitable.

Still, the scoreline was not as bad as it could have been. They will have to be better on Sunday, or that is the end of any Cup involvement till the new season starts.

I think a foray into the Transfer Market is a must, whether that be loans with option to buy, or the full deal, they must decide who needs to remain and who is simply not good enough.

Not too worried about up front, which may sound strange, but I believe once the midfield and defence are improved, it will give the front runners more opportunities, and the goals will come.

I believe we need a General in midfield and ideally another goal-scoring midfielder to take pressure off the forwards and give them more licence knowing they don't have to drop back defensively.

Add a quality Centre Back, and we should be good to make some sort of assault for the rest of the season, and perhaps even get a Euro spot.

There is many areas we need to improve in the team to seriously compete but it's clear that the midfield has to be the key area in the short term that needs improving.

Davies, Gylfi, Morgan and Delph simply aren't good enough players to push a team forward to the upper levels of the league.

Money won't be an object and Ancelotti will use his own influence to attempt to sign better class of players.

Whilst he has had some good things to say about the players, he's hardly going to come in after a week and say they are awful is he?

He'll know full well that we need miles better quality in that midfield, more athleticism, more creativity and more mobility because from the left right across to the right of midfield it's been far too weak and far too one paced.

He'll be looking at solving that and also the defence still needs a bit more steel in my opinion, Holgate has improved a lot but positional wise he struggles whilst Mina never seems to convince me that he can handle nifty strikers.

Looking at the highlights again, defensively we weren't tight but Pickford probably would have saved Jesus first one if he'd been two or three inches taller, keeper gets a hand on it then he should always keep the ball out.

We were just too sloppy though in general, tired, and it's times like this when the limitations of players is on show more.

Ancelotti reputation may solve the latter problem. There is no doubt that Brands and Ancelotti if given a freehand could produce a title winning squad. Ancelotti must think he can help Brands achieve such a squad inspire of the background problems.

There still needs to be changes at Board level if Ancelotti is to achieve Evertons full potiential. Asking Brands and Ancelotti to carry underperforming Directors and Internal Management will not work.

HNY :-)

1-Our midfield was the problem last night. I don't believe this to be true. I feel only our back three were decent and even they cost us goals. Midfield is certainly our weakest area but against City the wing backs and forwards were just as bad and Sidibe for me was our poorest player. You need more than a few players performing to get a result against them.

2-A lot of the analysis seems to centre on the players. I think Carlos tactics have escaped criticism. In the preceding games he made tactical tweaks which rightly have been given credit for getting the 3 points but tonight he set up to try and frustrate City. They are at the weakest at the back and teams that take the game to them often force them into mistakes as we did for the goal. It was never a game we were entitled to win and is a respectable score line but I felt we never gave ourselves a chance and I have seen poorer teams than us cause them greater problems.

If they are 'genuinely' wanting to get back in the first teams plans, it'll make them try harder and keep them on their toes, this shoe in attitude if available, has to change.

What a Hard Taskmaster I am, I know, but they're getting a fortune for, in many cases a Gravy Train Season Ticket!

If Richarlison is a problem we have serious problems in every other position in the team. My own view is that the priority area to be addressed is central midfield. That was weak before Gomes was injured. Without pace and power our attempts to play through midfield will always fail against the top teams.

One of the reasons the players look knackered is that they have had too many games in the past month chasing the ball against teams enjoying over 60% possession.

On a different note last night both teams committed eleven fouls in the game. Yet we finished with four yellow cards, City with none. De Bruyne was guilty of repeated fouls to halt our attacks but went unpunished by Marriner who always favours the big teams at home.

Fantastic news. Great to see this year starting a little more positively. for you and yours

Steve F.

Dont talk about the article, get it done

These aren't gifted amateurs. They are professional. They have been coached at a football club probably for the past 15 years or so.
Too many at the club have bluffed their way on the field and off. We've probably all worked with similar types, they get away with it for years.

Imagine working at Laird's. They give you a plan and you keep drilling the holes in the wrong place.
How long would you last ? " I'm sorry you're just not good enough " You'd be out the gate and up the road.

I want us to be mathematically safe but I want more especially that Carlo and Marcel give the club a good shake from top to bottom.
Happiness and health to you all and as George would say "Good vibes" to Mrs.Cook and family.

John, you like Richie, fair enough, he does track back quite a lot, mostly after he has given the ball away when losing it too easily, Dominic popped up at the far post on Saturday to score the winner versus Newcastle, a few of his tackles have produced fouls, once or twice bookings, for a Brazilian his ball control leaves a lot to be desired and I wouldn't say his dribbling is a lot to be admired, but it's all about opinions John, one man's meat is another man's poison.

The amount of times we had an opportunity to cross the ball into the oppositions box only for it to be back with Pickford to hoof upfield 20 seconds later really grates me.

It's great to retain possession if your winning but we appear to have taken a couple of steps back over the last week.

We seemed a little nervous about getting the ball forward or testing their backline with a bit d irect running and passing forward into space for players to challenge.

Early days I know, but the simple basic football from Ferguson may have got us something from games like this.

As for our pressing we are mostly terrible but when we do press as a team (that means stick to your man not chasing the ball or shadows) we managed to get a goal, same as against Newcastle.

I want more front foot, forward attacking football with a plan. Not panicky players who slow it down and pass backwards from advanced positions. No more Schnides. NSNO

The xG numbers for those interested are very impressive:
1226 minutes
8 goals
2.64 shots per 90 minutes
6.97 xG (compared to his 8 goals this means he's scored an extra 1 than he should have and indicates a good finisher)
0.51 xG per 90 minutes.

The 6.97 xG is a figure that can only go up, it cannot go down. DCL has already beat last season's figure of 6.17 (when he actually scored 6 in the league). His shots per 90 remains almost identical. But he's better across the board. So almost a goal better on xG, 2 real goals better, and all in 537 less minutes (just under 6 less games).

If you look across the league and take out all the players who have played less than 300 minutes then the top 10 for xG per 90 has DCL joint 10th in the Premier League. That's level with Mane. Ahead of him are 8 of the best forwards in the league:

Jesus (8 goals from 10.44),
Aguero (10 goals from 8.86),
Rashford (12 goals from 13.62),
Salah (9 goals from 10.00),
Wood (8 goals from 11.02),
Sterling (11 goals from 11.59),
Vardy (17 goals from 11.48),
Abraham (12 goals from 10.56)
and McGoldrick.

David McGoldrick (of Sheffield United) is an excellent example of why xG is a great indicator of a striker. He has an xG of 7.12. This means he should have at least 7 goals. His xG per 90 is slightly higher than DCL at 0.53 (that is a goal about every 180 minutes) and yet he has scored 0 goals. So xG tells you he has missed the equivalent of 7 open and certain goals. Chris Wood is high for xG but his conversion rate shows he is a poor finisher.

What the figures also tell you about DCL is the same thing as always. The boy can finish. He has always been able to finish. But he does not get many chances, as his shots per 90 is too low. 2.64 shots is just not enough. He needs to pull the trigger more often and could do with some coaching to help him take the shot earlier in the way Kane does. Kane's figures show you that he is not having a good season at all.

Danny Ings is having a great season. By comparison his stats are:
21 games
1468 minutes
13 goals
2.94 shots per 90 minutes
8.39 xG (so he's scored 4.61 goals more than he should have)
0.51 xG per 90 so level with DCL.

If we then look at Everton as a whole:
Moise Kean gets off 3.79 shots per 90 minutes
Cenk Tosun 3.41
Theo Walcott 3.14
DCL 2.64
Richarlison 2.46

So, there's hope there for Moise, he is getting shots in and DCL can learn from how he is able to create shooting opportunities.

A metric I've not mentioned yet is passes that led to shots, per 90. Our list is as follows:
Digne 2.42
Sigurdsson 2.29
Bernard 1.50
Iwobi 1.37
Tosun 1.24
Sidibe 1.14
Richarlison 1.08
Moise Kean 1.05
Walcott 1.00
Gomes 0.92
with DCL 11th on 0.66 with Coleman.

The above clearly shows who are creative players are and Sigurdsson's numbers surprised me. Clearly creating more than I have given him credit for, and Digne is clearly the most creative player.

Now to complicate matters, as each shot has an xG rating based on how likely it was the shooter should have scored, you can assign this value to the passer to give an xA rating for the quality of the pass where A means assist. This means you can see if the passing actually was creating quality chances. So the list from above with the xA per 90 added is as follows:

Digne 2.42 - 0.20
Sigurdsson 2.29 - 0.19
Bernard 1.50 - 0.09
Iwobi 1.37 - 0.14
Tosun 1.24 - 0.05
Sidibe 1.14 - 0.19
Richarlison 1.08 - 0.15
Moise Kean 1.05 - 0.28
Walcott 1.00 - 0.12
Gomes 0.92 - 0.06
Calvert-Lewin 0.66 - 0.06
Coleman 0.66 - 0.14

So what does this mean? Digne's delivery is producing an assist every 5 games. He had 4 assists last season, his xA was 7.71 last season meaning we squandered almost 4 certain goals from his delivery, but his xA per 90 last season was 0.23 so he has not dropped as much as you might think. He has 3 assists this season, and only got 4 in the whole of last season.

I mention Digne as he is a great benchmark for us, our most creative outlet, so 0.20 xA per 90 is a good barometer. So Bernard's getting the ball to people who are getting shots off, but those chances are poor, either bad angles or too far out. Tosun was very high on the list for shots, but clearly the xA tells you what he creates is poor quality chances. Sidibe was a surprise for the shots list to be so far down, but his xA per 90 of 0.19 shows the quality of his delivery, which is why he has matched Digne's total of 4 assists last season in just 13 games this season. This is an example of the numbers backing up what people call the "eye test". Sidibe has the best delivery from wide.

Iwobi is down on Sigurdsson for creating shooting chances, but again, what he creates are better shooting chances. But the biggest surprise is Moise Kean. 0.28 xA per 90 is the best at Everton.

These numbers tell you that whilst Moise Kean has scored 0 goals and got just 1 assist, he is able to get of our highest number of shots, is boasting the second best xG per 90 (after DCL), and that xA per 90 shows what he does create is of significant quality.

I know stats aren't for everyone, but I thought some might enjoy it. You'll find the raw materials here: Link

DCL (as copied from above so for this season):
1226 minutes
8 goals
2.64 shots per 90 minutes
6.97 xG (compared to his 8 goals this means he's scored an extra 1 than he should have and indicates a good finisher)
0.51 xG per 90 minutes.

Lukaku 2016/17:
3271 minutes
25 goals
3.03 shots per 90 minutes
16.67 xG (this means he's scored an extra 8.33 goals than he should have)
0.48 xG per 90 minutes.

This 25 goal season was his best of the last 3 seasons at Everton. His first season was before they started collating figures for xG. Lukaku is usually around 0.50 for xG per 90, going from 0.39 to 0.57 to 0.46. This season he is doing great at inter and is on 0.69. The shots per 90 though is the difference. He got 3.28, then 3.32 then 3.03 for Everton. It dropped significantly at Man Utd as his stats suffered and has soared to 3.19 again this season. Have a look at the numbers and you can see that his final season at Everton was one where he was deadly, but the two before that he was slightly down in each as he shot more often, and early, in order to beat the keeper. Link

This is Harry Kane Link so here you can see he gets off 5.32 shots per game. Hitting 0.78 xG per 90 that season, as he weighed in with 30 league goals. You can see that this season he's not getting the shots off and his numbers have suffered, but he is beating hs xG already by 3.10 and he's only ever beaten it by more than 4 once since they started collecting the data in 2014.

As above, Calvert-Lewin needs to shot more, and shoot early. The data shows he is doing well, but if he wants to do even better he needs to get past 3 shots per 90 minutes. Shots includes headers by the way.

It often makes you think though, we must have had scouts assessing Jonas Lossl, before we got him on a free as back up for Jordan Pickford. Didn't they notice Aaron Mooy there too?

I remember going back a few years when scouts went to Southend to watch a certain Brett Angell, who we eventually signed to our misfortune.

There was a player alongside him in Stan Collymore, who they were oblivious to, and who eventually signed for our friends across the Park.

I know who got the better deal-Unbelievable Geoff!

For this season DCL is scoring a goal every 150 minutes of play.
By comparison:
Kane: goal every 131 minutes
Rashford: 136
Mane: 159
Salah: 178
Pukki: 207

Where the heck did you find that metric on passes that led to shots?? Who tracks that? Personally, I'm not the least bit surprised that this particular metric makes Gylfi look better than he is perceived -- he has the best passing vision of anyone in the club and is always attempting the cutting pass.

DCL is a good player but it's his work ethic and hold up play that puts him in the team to begin with.

For me he's just not a natural striker. He's not greedy, selfish, confident or positive enough. He doesn't take the shot on often enough choosing to pass on the edge of the box rather than have that final swerve to touch the ball and shoot.

Rich is better but it's Tosun and Kean that are real strikers. They way they have that 'can I get a shot off' first thought, the way they strike the ball. DCL too often is trying to pass it into the net because he can't thump it on target.

However, it's definitely something he can improve on. Siggy being a great example to learn from.

It's funny how football has changed so much since them days, my older (I was in my 20s them in their 40) red workmates spent more time laughing at his name!!

They said he sounded like a cowboy from a cheap Western, he did play like an actor from a cheap Western.

"We were NOT garbage.

Thank fuck for that. I was worried for a minute.

Classic Jay wood. A couple of words typed in bold and there you have it. The truth.. What REALLY happened.

City didnt play anywhere near their strongest side. They left world class players sitting on the bench. On top of that they still had injuries which have forced them to play with a defence and goalkeeper who have offered up more favours than a Nethy road prostitiute. . but they were "NOT understrength"..Oh no. This City side (unlike any other side in history) cannot be weakened... "There is no such thing as an understrength City team".

And we were NOT garbage either. Jays uses capitals doesnt he ? How could we have been ?.

So what if we couldnt get out of our half for the 40 of the first 45 minutes, So what if we repeatedly gave the ball away through unforced error. So what if we didnt test their "NOT" weakened defence until we were chasing the game. So what if despite sitting deep and trying to keep it tight, Jesus alone could and probably should have scored five... We were NOT garbage.

I think I've got the hang of this self proclaimed "positive" lark. All you have to do is use BIG capital letters when telling others that they should simply deny the evidence of their own eyes and everything will be Hunky Dory.

Oh.. and it helps if you can stick your fingers in your ears and go la la la.

Aaron Mooy has some talent but is he really top class? Does he dominate games or just drift in and out of them?

Why has no other top club snapped him up?

I think our players get over scrutinised on here and the same people are overly impressed by why amounts to occasional glimpses of players at other clubs. I'll trust Ancellotti and Brands to make their assessments of the likes of Richarlison and Bernard (who I think are being underrated) and decide whether they can easily replace them.

My understanding of Ancelotti although limited is we will be investing heavily in players whilst undergoing another change in play, formation, setup, movement, possession etc more akin to Martinez possession based play rather than a fast attacking unit.

So we must learn to give a top quality manager time and money to get the team playing his way whilst hoping he and Brands can entice some serious quality players.

My lack of excitement on his appointment is that it's been several years since he's had success and is no longer wanted but the best clubs hence we have been able to bring him in.

He's 6 months to learn, 6 months to be judged and this time next year I hope it's been a successful and positive year otherwise I don't know who we would turn too.