Everton vs Chelsea

Will never forget the words of Joe Royale. ”Duncan was a hero when we needed one”.

And once again we need one.

Here's to hoping! COYB

Really have no idea how we will line up but please no 4231. Last 4 managers have tried it and it didn't work

“Duncan was a legend before he was a Manager”.

(Actual Manager)

Cup win (or two) & mid table safety as Caretaker.

Or am I still dreaming?

COYB

I'm sure Goodison will be rocking tomorrow. I like the look of Andys team with Digne further forward. I'd maybe have Holgate in for Keane, but other than that it's a good team for me.

If Duncan starts his presser with the words 'thank fuck he's gone' I would give him the job permanently! Legend.

Iwobi is far better centrally than wide. Hate to say it but I'd play Schneiderlin

4213

Lossl
Sidibe. Holgate, Mina, Digne
Davies, Schneiderlin
Iwobi
Kean, DCL, Richie

What's the point in Lossl if he's never going to play a minute?

I'd also tell any of the players that unless they run around for 90 plus minutes and bust a guy then they get a damning report before the new man takes over, and are out the door under the new manager!

Pickford has been horrendous all season.

I could go through a long list of stupid gaffes he's made, but the biggest thing that's pisses me off with him is his Big Time Charlie attitude, he knows he's undroppable and that's exactly why I would drop him, even for one match, just to show him this is the start of a new regime of hard men making decisions.

It would be a huge boost for Dunc the fans and much needed points if we can fashion a win. Somehow I feel fairly good about this game, and Chelsea have proved they can be beaten.

COYB

Big Dunc 4-4-2!

Lossl
Sidibe
Mina
Holgate
Digne
Richarlison
Davies
Iwobi
Bernard
Calvert-Lewin
Kean

i would also drop Pickford. He is a source of defensive anxiety and needs to refocus.

Duncan, Duncan Ferguson. Duncan, Duncan Ferguson. Here we go!

Pickford
Sidibe Mina Gibson Digne
Davies Iwobi Bernard
Gordon Kean Richarlison

Lossl
Holgate
Adeniran
Sigurdsson
DCL
Tosun

Chelsea haven't been afraid to include their young guns, although it has to be said Tammy Abrahams and Mason Mount, have had loan experience before being thrust into battle, and it has worked for both. Add Reece James to those names too.

Come on Dunc, be bold and make 'em tick!

Brands has something of the night about him. He's not to be trusted. Despite spending a fortune, the squad is at its weakest for years.

All of Silva's back room staff have reportedly gone. Yet Duncan Disorderly is still around.

Make no mistake, Kenwright is still calling the shots.

If you go round dropping people willy nilly for not very much, then you create disharmony very quickly these days. Remember, you're not dealing with players who are glad to be there anymore, you're dealing with young men who are millionaires by the time they're 20 and will simply get in a huff and leave if they don't get what they want.

This is the delicate reality of modern football, and modern management I'm afraid.

We as supporters see managers appearing weak, but the above stands up in the modern game, and they have little choice. When managers do drop players (managers such as Mourinho) have you not noticed the outcry? People think it's a huge deal these days dropping someone, and a large part of that is the millionaire prima donna that lives inside every one of them.

It's an incredibly delicate balancing act for managers nowadays.

I think it would be a mistake if Dunc just tried to “carry on silvering” with the 4-2-3-1 and the usual failures of Schneiderlin, Walcott, Siggy etc getting straight in when it's clear they haven't earned it. Without Gomes, Delph and Gbamin we are also too lightweight in the middle for a 2, so back it with a 3 and ask Gordon and Richie to drop back in to make a 5 when defending.

All conjecture at this stage, so I'll finish the same as you: come on the big man, be bold!

But there are players in the squad (mostly senior pros), who have failed in every team and under every manager. Standards will never improve until they are gone. We already have so much disharmony at the club that I think have to take advantage of this crisis to make significant change.

“don't drop the players who have been performing shite for months (whilst being cuddled and cajoled), cos we don't want to chance upsetting prima donna rich boys who don't have the backbone and desire to fight for their place back if they get upset”.

Seriously?

That's insane no-one should be too big for the club. No-one should be guaranteed a spot. Everyone should know that if they don't perform then someone else gets a shot.

Anyway, I'm off to tell my ‘boss' I don't fancy doing a shift today. hopefully he's a ‘modern manager' and decides to give me a cuddle instead of being pissed we don't get the proposal out on time.

Nothing but shite to gossip and boring old snipes about boring old men.

Some of the quotes are like Bingo talk for supposed grown men with lovely grammar.

People already whining about team selection to pop at Ferguson. Absolute stinks this. With the options we have, the performances yiu have witnessed. Just fuck off to the Mecca for a few pages of bingo.

Example: Shneiderlin, clearly stealing a healthy living off Everton, could be sold on to say, Southampton, his old club, where he'll be paid millions to play at another mid table side. Where's his motivation to put in any effort?

See what I mean? This is the point I'm trying to make. You drop a player like that he just goes, so fucking what? I don't care about Everton anyway.

In addition they said that he would receive £12M in Compensation, in regards to his Contract being terminated, so summing up, all in all it has cost the Club £16M to get rid of that clown.

I do hope someone who knows better can come on here and either refute those BBC claims, or qualify them. I was under the impression that Silva was on something like £3-4M per annum (still far too much imho) and the Watford issue had been well and truly put to bed.

They also said that Moyes is still favourite to take over in the future, not only do I hope there is no truth in that whatsoever, but also throws the Compensation and Watford claims as being erroneous too.

If Moyes is to be considered, why is Dunc in charge temporarily? I do hope Dunc does well but can't see him doing that well that he would be given the job permanently.

I still feel the Board have bought time, and in putting Dunc in temporary charge are thinking long and hard, and desperate to ensure that the next appointment, is totally correct. As another 'mistake' could be so costly, not only financially but in terms of our status in the Premiership and our credibility as a Club in general.

Just seen that Perriera famous press conference, nobody would mess with him and Dunc as a duo.

I get the impression that Dunc has never considered the step up to 1st team coach and is a kind of reluctant appointment, then again off the pitch he was a reluctant Star.

If memory serves, I believe in his heyday, when approached by Journo's asking "having you anything to say Dunc" he would retort "yea F*ck off" after a while they gave up and left him alone

I do hope he at least tries to put his own stamp on selections and would love to see some blood and thunder in a 4-4-2 with Kean and DCL upfront, Defo Bernard in there for me I think although a frustrating figure at times,he can unlock defenses and go around players to create space and wouldnt be adverse to some game time for the promising youth we here so much about ,

Anyway once again when the club is on its arse we turn to Dunc,

Cometh the hour cometh the man !!

COYB

The spine of the squad is absolutely terrible, with close to zero options to replace them.

Pickford, Keane, Holgate, Sidibe, Davies, Sigurdsson, DCL, Tosun all poor.

Genuinely don't envy him having to pick at least two midfielders.

I hope he goes 442 or 4411.

Personally Id go:

Pickford
Coleman
Baines
Mina
Keane
Bernard
Davies
Baningime
Digne
Richarlison
Kean

I'm wondering what happens to Duncan Ferguson after the game. How long will he be in temporary charge for? Once we do get a new guy in will he remain as forward coach, or will he move on?

Tomorrow is a massive game in so many ways and we all have to play a part, get right behind the team and the big man and remember he has blue blood running through his veins.

Anyone watch Arsenal last night? The worst premier league Arsenal ever? Well Brands the loved up genius signed a fringe player from that shit Arsenal side.

What a guy this Marcel Cowell character is.

While that ridiculous amount could reluctantly, be excused and put down to a mistake not to be repeated, it would accountable if we were sitting 3rd or 4th in the Table, but in reality we currently occupy the relegation trio.

There's no fool like a rich fool eh! Or something to that effect.

Are you back in Toronto David, hope your health issues are well taken care of, and hope to see you again soon, there should be another TW get Together in the New Year now that the gloom has been lifted, but definitely around March/April when Mike Gaynes is coming over again.

Pickford.
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Coleman Davies Sigurdsson Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin Kean

Worth a go!!?

Are you ready for the bagpipes tomorrow?

It will be interesting to see the team and formation Duncan picks, what has he picked up from the managers he's been with. I want to see 3 midfielders and try to control the game for a change. Up front l also want 3. Walcott, Kean and Richarlison.

Lossi
Coleman, Holgate, Mina, Baines
Richarlison, Davies, Beni, Bernard
DCL Kean

Digne, Sigurdsson, Keane, Adenerin, Gordon, Iwobi, Pickford.

Imagine if Duncan Ferguson is a very clever guy, which he hopefully is. Imagine if he's like a sponge soaking up all that coaching knowledge. Imagine taking the best of Martinez, the best of Koeman, the best of Allardyce and the best of Silva. Being able to play great possession football, being tactically astute, being defensively sold, and being a great hands-on coach. Knowing our luck he'll have picked up all of their worst habits!

I saw a thing in the BBC gossip saying Alan Pardew would be interested in the Everton job. My 81-year old mum would be interested in the Everton job, Alan, and she'd do a decent job.

Duncan divides opinion but he's a legend in my eyes. On his day, he put the wind up the RS - he never lost against them in his first spell. We've had more talented players since but nobody who put the fear into that lot like he did. Hope the Big Man gets a good result tomorrow and lifts the place. God knows we need it!

What team Ferguson will pick tomorrow different from Silva's is hard to predict, he's not that many options for his debut as a manager. Maybe he will think attack is the best form of defence, I think that's the way I would look at it. Muck or nettles.

I see our relegation odds have come down again unsurprisingly, I can't have us going down though I think we'll stay in the Premier League with a bit to spare. We got beat in the last two games by passes that were of pinpoint accuracy and would have beaten any defence, never mind ours.

Let's hope Chelsea have an off day and we get something out of the game, 2-1 to us more in hope than expectancy.

Problem is we're all speculating wildly, of course.

It'll be like when Unsworth beat Silva's Watford. The players, our players, are going to hear the "Duncan, Duncan Ferguson" chant ring out from all four corners like they have never heard before. Richarlison might think he's the darling of the Gwladys Street but he's going to think again when he hears how much louder Duncan's name is sung.

Our players should wake up and realise that when we love a player, we really love a player. Give us your best and turn up and put a shift in and we won't forget you.

When's the last time, other than Unsworth, we heard the crowd sing our manager's name? I think we have to go back to Martinez and the cup runs. We never sang for Koeman, Allardyce and certainly not for Silva.

For me, I would love to see Bernard play the Number 10, his quick feet and eye for a pass could be very interesting. Also, with him weighing the same as a 2 lb bag of sugar, he is likely to get us a few free kicks.

Good luck to the team and Big Dunc.

Link

Be interesting to see if his tactics match.

He'll almost certainly bring in at least 1 player from the reserves to let everyone know it's a new slate. If not, he'd be a fool.

I expect two up top and 4-4-2. We've got no fit midfielders and so 4-4-2 is the only formation that makes sense, especially if it keeps Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson out of the side.

He often gets accused of looking a right sour puss on the pitch. That's his game face. He takes his profession very seriously. Even after he scored our 2nd on Wednesday, he didn't celebrate his goal. It was more 'Cummon! We've got more to do yet.'

Again, throughout the intererview he wears a permanent frown. Now I have the advantage of being able to understand the tone and content of his spoken Portuguese (the English translation is not always literal), but it is self-evident he is hurting. BAD!

I found it the most frank and honest player interview I've seen in months, possibly years, from an Everton player.

He immediately swats away the praise the interviewer gives him on his goal. He replies 'it's meaningless if we lose. It's no good scoring goals if concede them too easily. We need to be more responsible, we need to mature quickly.'

There's lots of good stuff in the interview. He closes by saying again 'we need to beat our chests, to play for the shirt, to be more responsible. We need to win. A 1-0 win would be a great result for us.'

(In Portuguese, he actually describes a 1-0 win as 'goleado', which is the phrase used when a team wins by a lot of goals).

The team needs more like him with this attitude, not less.

Q. How did the squad react to the news?
A. Mixed.

I gather from that, some were sad to see him go and others pleased. That for me points to us needing a manager with a good grasp of English (yeah yeah okay that might rule out Moyes). The players need to learn English, we shouldn't be getting a Portuguese to make certain players happy. Team bonding is needed. Maybe a reason for Moshiri and his team talk yesterday.

Very promising.

Now every man and their dog are wanting it !!

Strange that...

I think Dunc may just lift the place and surprise a few people. He seems steely and determined and I wish him the very best. Crowd needs to be ferocious

No idea what formation or who DF will play but one things for sure, please don't make it the same as the last few games. We need something different and need to be more direct.

I'd like to have Coleman in the side if fit and see us either play 433, 442 or 4411. Keep it tight and play to our strengths. The likes of Richarlison, Iwobi and Kean all have pace - lets use this. Drop Sigurdsson from the start as we need some more steel in the midfield.

DF isn't the answer but what a lift it would give to get 3 points tomorrow and move us out of the drop zone. Chelsea are not the team they used to be and are nothing to be feared.

Start Kean

Maybe some want 442 because they think that's all Duncan is capable of training them to do.

I want 3 in midfield so we don't get overrun in there.

One love. One team. One Everton.

Tell your children.

He has a tough job and I am sure all true blue supporters will be 100% behind him. I cant see him taking any risks and I think the team may be.
Pickford Holgate Mina Digne
Davies Schneiderlin Iwobi
Richarlison Kean Bernard

I am also intrigued by who Ferguson will have on the bench alongside him tomorrow - Jeffers, Ebrell and Kelly. Unsworth nowhere.

Now I understand all Silva's auxilliary staff have been binned with him and there were little or no alternatives left for Ferguson to choose from, but it does highlight again the 'Everton old boy' infrastructure that continues to permeate on all levels at the club.

I'm probably not alone in wondering how Unsworth featured in things in the last 24 hours. Barely two years ago, on stepping in as caretaker boss for Koeman, he declared on day one that he was 'ready for this', to be a PL manager.

No need to rake over cold coals on the different perceptions of how that went, but it has been curious - at least to me - just how passive David has been since returning to his U-23 duties.

That he coaches well at that level is no question. He has the trophies to show for it. Many players schooled under him have progressed to first team football, although not enough IMO to first team football at Everton.

If, as he stated, he was ready to be a first team boss, then why hasn't he applied for any number of positions for which he would have been a serious candidate?

Did the short, sharp experience of being Everton's manager damage his confidence in some way? Has he acknowledged he isn't cut out for the job at the highest level? That doing what he does with academy players is his comfort zone and what he derives the greatest satisfaction from?

I write the above not to deride Unsworth. I like him as a man and a junior coach. If he has found contentment and satisfaction in his current role, I don't begrudge him that at all.

But I do wonder if he was offered the caretaker role yesterday, but refused it. Or whether he was entirely overlooked.

Whatever it was, it signals loud and clear to me that as long as Moshiri is at Everton, Unsworth will never again get a shot at being first team manager as some have lobbied for.

Personally I think, and hope that we will see a different Everton tomorrow, I also believe the groundswell of support and relief, that Silva has gone, coupled with a decent team selection, we may just get a result.

Which brings me to my next point, which admittedly is based on a hypothesis, what happens if Dunc really pulls the stops out, with his novice management and team selection?

Do they extend his tenure?

If so, by how long, and do you think they really have a Candidate in mind, or are they just back-pedalling/buying time?

If anyone watched Dunc's presser, Delph is still out (shocking), and now Mina is doubtful, so more good news. Abraham is confirmed healthy and back for Chelsea as well. So prepare for Abraham & Pulisic vs Keane & Holgate. At least we'll get to see Zouma at Goodison again, so that's something. On the plus side, FIFA reduced Chelsea's transfer ban to just the 1 window they've already endured, so maybe they'll go buy some expensive CB and free up ones of theirs for us again.

Anyhow..

My preferred lineup:
Lossl
Sidibe Holgate Keane Digne
Iwobi Davies Schneiderlin Bernard
Kean Richarlison

Jeez even writing that out we're not starting out with many good options here.

What we'll probably see:
Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Keane Digne
Davies Sigurdsson
Richarlison Iwobi Bernard
DCL

Lossl
Baines
Gibson
Walcott
Kean
Schneiderlin
Tosun

Best we can hope for prediction: 1-1 draw

That reminds me of the old chestnut about Ferguson taking on the entire Liverpool team by himself in some bizarre scenario.

After the game, meeting up with his team mates, they asked him how the game went.

"We lost, 1-0."

"But that's an amazing result, you keeping all 11 RS players at bay and losing just 1-0."

"Aye, but it's ma fault that we lost. I got meself sent off with 10 minutes to go!"

But Unsworth now has to ask himself where he's at and where he's going. If this is it, then great. He's paid very well and does very well. Most of us would dream of doing his job at that level.

If he wants more, then he needs to leave and take the risk on a league one club. What you might not realise is that the risk is a pay cut. He's on very good money at a PL u23 side and more than your average League one manager. Is it worth giving that up for a league where the average manager lasts less than a season. And so he is likely to be sacked and then kiss good bye to that salary.

Also IMO going with a coaching staff caretaker is a very good indication that someone like Moyes is not under any sort of serious consideration.

Without any inside info, it simply appears to me that Ferguson is being asked to hold the line and pick up what points he can, while final shortlist consideration then negotiations take place for the new manager. I've been told by someone on the NSNO forums who works for the Club that they've narrowed the shortlist to 4 managers. He didn't know who they were.

And in the background, the adults narrowing their search for our fire-starter manager.

As for David Unsworth, he may really like living on Merseyside and not want to step out of his comfort zone. That is fine with me. Too many people are promoted to their level of incompetence and then find it hard to step back down.

The home loss to West Ham does look bad, but over the past few games they've been without Abraham, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, and Rudiger for 1 or more of them. All but Rudiger have been declared fit for tomorrow.

I agree on that Steve that Ferguson has been working close to the first team for 5 years now since Martinez promoted him.

You yourself in the past suggested that Ferguson is nothing more than the cone placer in training. Possibly he is a bit more than that, possibly he is simply the Last Man Standing!

As for David Unsworth, it is not unreasonable to assume that he has come to accept his lot as his roll is now defined at Everton, or he still has higher ambitions for himself which clearly cannot be fulfilled by staying at Everton and to achieve them he will need to move on.

It wasn't just the dynamic around the first team that Silva's dismissal yesterday will impact on IMO.

Depending on whether Brands genuinely has authority on all aspects of the football infrastructure at the club, there might be plenty of fallout and collateral damage to follow yet with the whole set up being completely revamped with New Blood.

Interesting times.

I think we can only appoint one. 😂😋

Or a mixture of pleased and ecstatic.

Duncan presser
" When I plunged in my knife (haven't cleaned it since we did Sam in) Marco said "Et tu Duncan?" I said "you daft twat, eto'o left years ago, my name is Ferguson."

Maybe Duncan will surprise most of us and turn out to be an inspirational manager, then again !!

Money matters: earned millions, goes bankrupt
Temperament: gets tackled, head butts opponent
Lifestyle: Alcoholic

So all in all it looks pretty encouraging.

As far as tomorrow goes, fully behind the big fella. I hope we win 10-0, he gets the job full time and wins every game for the next ten years and has a statue of him outside the Bramley Moore Dock stadium which is to be renamed in his honour!

I'll see you in the dug-out tomorrow.

He's not one to be rendered silent by the goings on at Everton.

Seriously hope he is OK.

Pickford
Holgate Kean Mina Baines
Walcott Davies Ebbrell Digne
Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

EBRELL???

Mark, thought it was doubtful, but maybe Ferguson is playing the old Moyes mind games? We used to always have about 7 doubtful and they'd all play.

I'll just set the cones up, you fellas can knock 'em down.

I thenk yew!

I want to mail them my favourite vid and pic of Duncan sharing his opinions with his old mate Stefan Freund with Jimmy Bullard wetting himself in terror. Might concentrate their minds a bit.

Good for him and good luck to him should he leave at the end of the season.

He can leave by the front door and his head held a lot higher than many that slunk off through the back door down the years.

Re team selection for this game, it is a tricky one. As is plainly clear to everyone, we have no decent central midfield or even central defensive options. I wouldn't let shirkers like Iwobi or Sigurdsson anywhere near the team. they are classic examples of players who have got us where we are with their half-hearted approach. I agree that a 4-4-2 is needed with a more direct style. Get Calvert-Lewin in to win headers and Keane to worry them in behind with his pace. They won't know whether to drop off or push up.

For the two in the middle of the park, I am a bit stuck at the minute. Davies would have to be one although I am not overly convinced by him but not sure who would partner him. I can't see it being Schneiderlin after Big Dunc falling out with him in training one time a while back. I would be tempted to get one of the young lads in with plenty of energy, a good engine and who likes a tackle. Just tell him to get stuck in and put himself about.

To stop us getting outnumbered in the middle, I would tell Keane to drop off into midfield when we haven't got the ball, like Cahill used to do.

Central defence is tough too. I'm not convinced by Mina or Keane who look slow and full of errors. I would probably go with Holgate and Keane unless one of the young lads is ready to step up in place of Keane. The only worry there is lack of experience but then experience hasn't done a lot for us so far this season!

We had some joy with man marking jorghino last year.

Pickford
Sidebe
Keane
Mina
Digne
Richarleson
Schneiderlin
Davies
Bernard
Kean
DCL

Iwobi and Sigurdsson need to be dropped.

7 May 2015 Liverpool Echo
By Greg O'Keeffe
Everton coach Duncan Ferguson's nine best quotes

1. “The fans here have always been great towards me. They are unbelievable. They took me in and they are the best fans in the country, if not the world.” Ferguson

2. “Duncan had immense ability. And here he was, at a club where the striker has been revered since Dixie Dean, and before. They love their No9s. Alternatively, they can be incredibly hard if you don't fit the bill. Unlike a lot of gangly boys, Duncan could jump. He could jump, all right.” Joe Royle on Ferguson

3. “It was the best 10 years of my career, in fact they are the only team I ever actually played for. That's what happens when you play for Everton, you forget the rest, the rest means nothing.” – Ferguson

4. “I began to appreciate how he earned his reputation as a hard man. It was a nice punch, I have to say.” – Paul Scharner after being punched by Ferguson.

5. "This club has been a big part of my life and this city has been a big part of my life. I met my wife here and my three kids were born here." Ferguson

6. On retirement: "I miss the place, I miss the football and I miss the derbies. You are a long time retired, I have been retired for five years and it feels like 25. So to the players that are here now, stay in football as long as you can and stay at this club as long as you can because there is only one way after leaving this club, and that is down." Ferguson

7. On Blues legend Dave Hickson: “Dave was a lovely man and it's very, very sad that he's no longer with us. I used to see him all the time at Goodison and he was one of those people who always had a smile on his face. He just loved Everton and he loved coming to the game.” Ferguson

8. On his infamous scrapes: "Hand on heart, I never started anything, never once. That's the truth. I finished a few.” Ferguson

9. On one day managing his beloved Everton: "I think everyone dreams of being Everton manager, don't they. Don't you? Everyone has dreams, but it's not something I'm anywhere near.

"We've got a top-drawer manager[Roberto], outstanding, and I'm learning from him every day. I just want to be the best coach I can be. I'm working hard at it.” Ferguson

In a way it's a great pity Ferguson has such a short time with them before the match. Still if they can't get up for this after such a shite week, they never will.

He has said he expects a top manager to come in, let's hope so.

Total guess but I see him going for a 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1.

COYB!

Also a nice parting statement from Silva. Shame it didn't work out for him and us!

I know he's proven to be very polarizing, but why drop Iwobi? Is it because he makes the errant pass on occasion, or fails to dribble past a defender? Just guessing on those 2 because they seem to be the oft-repeated complaints on his play. If so, well, that's going to happen when you're moving around a lot and trying to make things happen. It's very easy to have "safe" error-free looking play when you play safe, doing nothing.

It's become fairly apparent that advanced metrics & statistics around what actually happens during matches either aren't trusted or simply not cared about, but in the event that you do, Iwobi's are strong comparatively to the rest of the team.

Areas where he's very good:
* He's 3rd in key passes (ones that create what are known as big chances, i.e. should be scored by the recipient)
* 1st in through balls
* 6th in pass completion % (82), but 1st overall for attacking midfielders/forwards, BUT only 13th in passes per game, so really, he should be passing MORE
* 4th in passes that led to shots on goal

Areas where he's ok/can improve:
* 3rd in dribbles / 7th in being dispossessed (at about a 2:1 ratio)
* 7th in bad touches per game (1-6 are all forwards or Coleman)
* 5th in shots per game (which IMO only illustrates how poor the entire team is playing)

Areas where he isn't very good:
- tackles
- pass interceptions
- putting shots on target
- converting quality chances (he's 3rd worst on the team)

If you put everything together, he's the 8th-best overall rated player on the team, so regardless of how you personally feel about him, he should be starting IMO. His ability to create outweighs the negatives, again IMO.

I probably just wasted my time compiling that lol

I also believe he gets on well with DCL so expect him to lead the line.Its a worry that Mina is doubtful because Michael Kan has lost all confidence and has been marking shadows since he got battered for his last England performance.

I just hope that the team picked is up for it and the crowd get right behind them.

I'm actually hopeful of a result tomorrow and can see us at least getting a draw and even a win. If GP is a bear pit the Chelsea side won't fancy it.

One game at a time - lets put the sorry Silva ear behind us and get a win. Not bothered about the new manager yet. Lets just get a result tomorrow and move on from there. Hopefully DF can put the fear into a few of them to pull their thumbs out.

I remember posting at the time that both of them should have been booted out out of EFC immediately and put on the list, although Schneiderlin publicly denied doing anything wrong. He's hardly done anything right since either.

Bad apples and all that.

Lets face it they need a mole. That could be Ferguson Unsworth or anyone they feel like reffering too.

Ferguson isn't an angry player anymore so lets get out of the past and back someone trying to improve.

He worked with the forwards under Koeman and Lukaku had his best season over here. I remember he often pointed at Dunc when celebrating his goals and praising his training drills.

I couldn't care who kept him at the club but i'm glad he is here and the club isn't surrounded by coaches from overseas just doing a job.

Why do people pick Schneiderlin? He is a disgrace, a shirker, a liability and stealer of a wage.

I can count on the tip of one finger how many half-decent performances he has produced in almost 3 years.

If you were in the trenches he would be the last one you would want to rely on.

Right I've got my tin hat on (as we are hypothetically in trench warfare) awaiting all the mortar fire and rubber chickens that may come my way in his pathetic defence.

Richarlison is like a Tim Cahill for me..trying to improve all the time and winners mentality. His work rate is excellent and his passion is second to none.

I can't stand the rolling and yelling but I can see its a part of wanting to control the game as much as he can.

The Brazilians don't get enough praise for their work rate in my opinion and they all play positive. Even the holding midfielders and defenders in many cases.

Jason 167 someone above said Lossl is bang average. That makes him the same as Pickford but bigger.

Thanks mate, much appreciated.

Ed, agreed. Let's hope the passion comes from the manager and fans into those millionaire players of ours.

Derek,

If you go and watch him live he does move, he does pass if it's on, he does switch play, he does make blocks. However no confidence and no movement leads to simple sideways and backwards passing. He is more than capable.

Anyway I don't think anyone has to worry. I'd be surprised if he plays. However... how many fit midfielders do we have again? If he plays it's normally behind his midfield partner which creates a massive gap in midfield because Siggy is trying to stay close to the striker. If he plays it should be in a diamond formation. For we should build our team around him

I did my bit... (mwuhahahahah).

Its a load of shite. He produced his examples on paper during a presentation and was quicker an more clear than the champ manager generation.

He obviously felt proud about that but told me these modern day guru type are over complicating and trending.

I remember Martinez assistant time and time again taking ages to go through his ipad while a sub was coming on.

Man management is the key. Klopp has it to a tee. Listen to ex players and even some today will tell you its the man management that counts most.

Souness said no manager ever made him a better player.. something I agree with and think its fantasy stuff.

We could do with a ruthless player in each position through the middle right now to be honest. And get the clown out of the goal next season.

I do agree Neil 175, he is a liabilty mate.

Okay they may be a bit 'Rabbit in the Headlights' at first, and possibly make a mistake or two, which they will learn from, but they will try and give a lot more than Crabman.

Mirallas has been shipped but Crabturd is still there!

I think you're mixing up Rhino with Big Dunc.

Unsworth was well established as a coach before being recruited as Alan Stubbs assistant with Everton's U-21s. He even had a couple of spells as caretaker manager at one of them, PNE. He was also at Sheffield United and a course tutor at Scotland's highly regarded coaching centre.

When Stubbs took on the manager's job with Hibernian, Rhino stepped up to Alan's vacated position he has since held for 5 years.

Ferguson's coaching time at Everton predates Unsworth by a few years.

First as an unpaid volunteer working with youth players, including alongside Sheedy, before Martinez surprisingly invited him to coach with the first team.

Astonishingly, that was almost 6 years ago already.

Tomorrow it will be interesting to see literally Duncan Ferguson 2019 can bring to the game.

I'll have a bit of that, and oh almost forgot we win the 3-2!

Nurse, "do I have to go back to the Centre? I was enjoying my time on TW". "Your medication is well overdue" she replies, "and you know how delirious it makes you, being off it". 🥼💙😋

;-)

Steve, great shout. He might even been able to swap blue kits at half and no one will be any the wiser.

Lossl
Sidibe, Holgate, Keane, Digne.
Shneiderlin* or Gylfi*, Iwobi, Davies,
Richarlison, Kean, Bernard.

* No choice. Nobody else is fit.

I can't believe someone actually had the balls to look into Brands role.

(He really did do light training.)

It's 75 degrees here. I'm going to snow and 27 to 35 degrees.

Everton had best win tomorrow a.m. while I freeze my balls off in New England! Or my mood will be foul. And my wife is a gem, she doesn't deserve that. So c'mon Duncan, motivate and win.

I see Dunc making some changes. Coleman bleeds Blue, Dunc will want that. I also could see him playing Calvert-Lewin and Kean up top together in a 4-4-2.

Whatever the case, I think we're going to see a different look tomorrow.

So here's who I think we'll see tomorrow.

Lossl
Coleman Mina Zouma Digne
Gbamin Delph Gomes
Walcott Tosun Richarlison

The team:

Pickford,
Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Digne,
Gordon, Davies, Iwobi, Bernard,
Richarlison, Kean.

It is tough with all the injuries but we need to have speed in attack and I am sure Chelsea's defenders would rather face one forward than two.

The fact people have suggested Baines, Adeniran, Baningime and Holgate shows how short we are. And Sigurdsson isn't the answer either.

Didn't even know they were having it! Good place to have that in December, God knows.

I'm going to Boston this weekend, so the likelihood I jump in a car and do the 5 hour drive down I-95 in a week is slim-to-none friend. I think a couple of my boys are getting home from U of Alabama and Florida State as well next weekend.

You and I should defo meet up some time for a game in Orlando or some such thing, if you're game for it.

Cheers.

GP at its finest atmosphere is as good as a goal, tomorrow the slide must be halted.

I'm hoping Lössl starts, as for me, Jordon is no longer consistent and there's been far more mistakes this season.

Also I hope Moise starts, keeps his cool and scores. The back four will hopefully play as a unit, and has learned from the RS game, the midfield is where the game will be won and the players selected will need to put a shift in.

Hopefully Dunc can inspire these players victory!

Midfield options are very limited. Have they ever considered, I wonder, putting Baines in front of the back 4? I've seen a few folks throw that out there?

It has been obvious that Silva was in his last days. He was left in post to take the team to Anfield, those in charge decided that was fair enough as they were paying him plenty of money. But the rest of us, those who don't really matter, have had to endure the shameful embarrassment of that display and all the cretinous stick that has been floating around the city since.

But this afternoon I had a very pleasant surprise, a ‘phone call from across the pond from Mike Gaynes. Those who know Mike understand he has had to face a life-threatening illness, so he is very much aware that there are more important things than footy. At the same time, however, he knows that our team has a very important place in our lives, and he managed to stoke the embers and I'm now looking forward to the match.

It won't be easy, the Lampard family has never done us any favours. But it will be an interesting watch, and I think Goodison will have a spark.

If Moyes comes in, then I'll have nothing to do with the club until he, and whoever employs him, gets the fuck out of Dodge.
COYB!

Sorry, just taking the piss a bit.

I was under the impression that after undergoing treatment, Mike had been given the 'all clear' and was again not only participating in Sports but also doing some refereeing too.

I know we shouldn't be talking about the reasons for Mike's noticed absence on TW, but I for one am genuinely concerned as he is a great guy. If you ever want to give me a ring or a text even, my number is 07565140075.

Mike is one of the TW Family, well we all are, but has been a part of it for so long, and is respected both for his humour, his detailed knowledge and impeccable records on all things Blue.

Peter, please, please, send my regards to Mike and I genuinely wish him some good news, and hopefully a speedy return to TW. 😥💙

I didn't read in Pete's post that there's anything wrong with Mike?

In fact, Mike posted earlier today on another thread, saying he was out yesterday for a bit, fired up TW, and 6 hours after the fact learned Silva had been sacked.

What a relief, I may even pour myself a libation, oh confounded again, I only have a few cans of lager, as I rarely drink in the house, not the same without company and a good chat!

Thanks again Peter!

As for my health, be of good cheer, I remain in this gloriously extended remission and all is well. What has delayed my next trip over to visit you British Blues is that I'm having Achilles surgery next month (foolish slide tackle in a match), and since I don't fancy stumping around the Winslow and Goodison on crutches, I'll hold off on the trip until spring. Hopefully we'll be playing better by then.

DK, thanks for your number, I'll definitely surprise you one of these days.

Thanks all for your concern.

TW and Everton Football Club has been such a Helter Skelter recently and I think most of us, are so dejected as the catastrophic series of (dis) appointments, ill advised and overly inflated purchases, of players who are (clearly to us anyway) not a good fit. Not all but a considerable number are.

Oddly enough I am sitting listening to one of my Favourite groups the Moody Blues, ( I am confessedly an old romantic) but the Album in question which I just put on in random fashion has such pertinent Tracks, which pertain to Everton and our current situation.

I won't list them all but here are a few:
Voices in the Sky. (Woo spooky)
Never Comes the Day (We get a fair result, Ref/VAR
Watching and Waiting ( managerial Appointment)
Dawning is the Day (Dunc's First match)
New Horizons (Self Explanatory hopefully)
Isn't Life Strange ( Tell Me About It!)
Blue Guitar (No Strings Attached ?)
Driftwood ( Most have been moved on)
Forever Autumn (When new Season starts and we're level with all the others)
Your Wildest Dreams (Europe/Top 4/6)
I know you're out There Somewhere (New Manager)
Nervous ( Nearly every game of late!)

Obviously I have added the bracketed words, The Moody Blues who were from Birmingham, may have supported their Blues, but not sure on that, but it just seemed so appropriate and as I said before it was a totally random selection.

Of course, at this point we're all Moody Blues, aren't we?

We are sleep walking towards relegation, dramatic much!? Well yes when you say it in a suspenseful kind of way.

However we are on the precipice of fighting for our lives, we have to repeat most of this current run of fixtures late in the season. Who ever we get, may well galvanize the club but can they get the squad to perform to more than the sum of its parts. So far a talented squad on paper has very little chemistry and very rarely has shown a propensity to give more than its individuals in moments of games.

It's gonna be very tight and I'm genuinely concerned this year is might have put number on it.

I was born in Dundee Scotland, as you may be well aware, and grew up not really having a direct affiliation to any particular Club, although I did have an attraction to both Hearts (Edinburgh) and of course Dundee United.

It was through Hearts, ironically that I became hooked, on Everton. Let me explain, Hearts then, had a player called Alex Young who, I identified as being my hero even at that young age.

I was lucky enough although very young, about 6/7 that my Dad although a Dundee supporter himself, he was from Glasgow (Airdrie) but chose to support Dundee after settling in a place called Newport-on-Tay (on the Fife side of Dundee).

He did either occasionally take me, or made sure someone took me to watch Hearts which then was a train journey of some 60 miles!

I got a few glimpses of my hero Alex Young at such a tender age and was hooked, almost straight away, not so much with Hearts, who I loosely had an interest in because of Alex.

Of course Alex joined Everton, and although we were lucky enough to have a black and white television, which my Dad had built from scratch, I was lucky again in being allowed to watch Alex playing for Everton.

Very rarely was it on Match of The Day then, but when it was I made sure I could watch it, that was me, and has been ever since. Which is (frighteningly) sixty years next year!

Anyway, my elder brother and his son are avid Dundee United Supporters, and were regular attendees. Being my local side, I always retained an interest in looking for their result on a Saturday.

Living in England, in both Navies (not at the same time) and marrying a Scouser, when in my new home, I could actually start going to the Matches, to again see Alex. It was almost heaven to me then, as all of her family were Blues!

You have probably aged considerably reading this, which unintentionally has turned in to a Saga, but I had to explain, and I'm still not finished yet!

Duncan started his career as a young lad with Dundee United, and I regularly received reports from my nephew, and my brother how good this guy was.

Although he was good, and I did get the opportunity on a visit to Scotland to watch him for Dundee United he was a very different player in comparison with Alex Young, and of course he too came to Everton.

Talk about degrees of separation, but it is a bizarre World we live in at times which throws up these coincidences, which I believe in some way are meant to happen!

I envy you having seen Alex Young play, and at the start of his career no less. Those are magic memories for ya I'm sure.

Regarding Duncan, I've made no secret that I'm not an admirer, but I understand why you have a soft spot for him, and if he can make my getting out of bed at 4am tomorrow worth the effort, I will cheer him for sure.

Delayed flight. At the bar (of course) getting prepared to fly out. De-icing and snow in Boston. Drinking heavily as I DETEST flying.

You're spot on, friend. We are absolutely on the precipice of fighting for our lives. We are in a dire situation.

I'm hoping we come through the other side stronger.

Always liked you now it makes sense as my mum was born in Dundee too in your era. Can't beat a good old Tayside accent.

I do not think Duncan Ferguson will make to many changes tomorrow but I am sure all true blues supporters will support him. The team I think he may pick barring injuries is:

Pickford, Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Digne, Davies, Schneiderlin, Iwobi, Richarlison, Kean, Bernard.

Pickford, like him or not, he is the best keeper we have at the club at this time. Schniederlin, both Davies and Iwobi like to go forward and we need a defensive midfielder. Chelsea have 2 tall defensive centre-halves so we need quick strikers keeping the ball on the ground. And their backs like to move up-field in attack, so we need our quick wingers to help defend.

Subs: Lössl Keane, Sigurdsson, Baines, Walcott, Clavert-Lewin. Gibson, Tosun

Pickford, Sidibe, Holgate, Gibson, Digne, Davies, Adeniran, Richarlison, Bernard, Kean, Calvert-Lewin.

Go for 4-4-2,

There is an auld saying in Scotland "We're all Jock Thompson's Bairns" which roughly means, it doesn't matter what colour, what religion, whether you are rich or poor, we all have a right to exist on this planet, and treat others in a similar vein.

You've got me started, so I will finish, in true University Challenge fashion.

My National poet, Robert Burns, who I have loosely tried to live my own life by, said this in a much-ignored poem, well not so much a poem but a dirge: "Man's Inhumanity to Man made Countless Thousands Mourn".

Considering that was written nearly 250 years ago, how many wars and atrocities have there been in that time? Why does nobody, or very few learn from those, who have left messages, largely unheeded, in Poetry, Writing, Art and Music?

You know, Kieran, when I spent many hours at sea, I did not idle, or let them go to waste. I had quite a large Collection of Poetry, which I mostly learnt by heart, although my memory is not as collective as it was, I have still retained a good percentage.

One poem probably takes equal reverence next to Rabbies, and it was written over a thousand years ago by a Persian Astrologer whose name was Omar Khayyaam.

Depending on which version you obtained, it contained approximately 147 verses, all in the form of quatrains, and took the Translator many years to convert into English.

Being poetry, it doesn't take a Sherlock to appreciate that conversion from one language to another is not going to rhyme. He painstakingly learned Persian, and further set out to not alter its content but to keep its meaning in its fullest integrity.

I will not obviously quote them all, but will deliver three which I consider to be significant in the context of this current theme:

T'is a Chequerboard of Knights and Days
While Destiny with Men for Pieces plays
While hither and thither moves, and mates, and slays
Then one by one back in the Closet Lays

Strange is it Not of the Myriads who
Before us passed the Door of Darkness through
None have returned to tell us of that road
Which to discover, we must travel too

For in and out, above below
T'is nothing but a Magic Shadow Picture Show
Played around a box whose Candle is the Sun
Round which we phantom figures come and go!

The verses I have quoted were not consecutive, but I felt among many others were worthy of recall, as considering when they were written, still hold, to a degree, the poignancy today as they did then!

Goodnight and God Bless to all on TW!

The rights and wrongs of the DoF model can be argued but I think you're being very unfair on Brands. It's not his fault the team can't defend. It's not his fault we can't break teams down.

The team lacks organisation and commitment. Dunc might be able to inspire the latter, but the former is not something that can be fixed overnight. Our defence is a neglected shambles. It's the simple tactics that need addressing far more urgently than anything else. That was Silva's job and he had to go. Brands has nothing to do with it.

Bobby Brown shoes had Baines down as our future Philip Lahm, patrolling the area in front of the defence

A phantom figure. Momentarily holding up a candle of his own.

It's not Brands fault that Marco never learned from his mistakes, was tactically hopeless, no organisation, no motivation, stubborn and so on.

Where Brands could be criticised is for taking too long to bin Marco.

Ever since we instated a DoF we've had unbalanced squads filled with expensive misfits.

Let the new manager manage the squad.

But this is tomorrow's argument, let's all get behind Big Dunc today! Three points, especially against Chelsea, would completely change the outlook for the season.

Fair enough ,he missed out on a centre-back and another attacker. I can't help but feel he thought players from U23 would be stepping up as well.

I'd love to be there to see the Old Lady back to her growling, menacing, aggressive self.

One of her favourite sons is in charge today. I am absolutely certain she will respond.

Good luck to all blues!

It's now 9.03 and I will be leaving quite soon for The Dark House to meet up with the whole mad gang - - we have always said ”no matter what we will be here next game” and so the Show goes on.

Just listened to the news - - grey clouds but a dry day - - no Rain on Duncan”s Parade then an looked out of the window over to The City and news travels fast, there is a massive Liner “parked up” outside The Liver Buildings - - Moshiri's New Travel arrangements or maybe New Brighton Blues going up market.

Going to be an interesting day, I guess. I would imagine that most Blues will be up for this today with the best short term solution that they could hope for after Wednesday Night - - in a bit of a rush this morning - - but just listening to - - and getting myself ready - - Something In The Air:

“Call out the instigators
Because there's something in the air
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here, and you know it's right
And you know that it's right
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together now
Lock up the streets and houses
Because there's something in the air
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here, and you know it's right
And you know that it's right
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together now”

Sometime soon we have got to get it right but while Nero fiddles, I, certainly, will not allow Rome To Burn - - today is the time for commitment and togetherness - - for patience and positivity - - for strength and belief - - I appeal to some posters on the Liver Forum to give up the negativity and (sometimes unpleasant and nasty) destructive personal comments - - of course they do not affect the game or the players or the management but they create and really negative vibe - - so come on let's create a whole “posso waves” day and send them out on the astral and into the coming Blue Sky:

“You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be
All right, all right, all right
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be
All right, all right, all right”

Love this song of The Beatles - - play it in my car at Maximum Volume - - Love when Lennon screams “All right” at the end.

For me I cannot figure the point of adding to the worlds negativity - - that does not mean I accept any old shite - - I am a strong, outspoken, proactive --- but if I didn't seriously like what I was doing or certainly spending my money on I would either pack it in - - or change it or try and stick with whoever and whatever it was through tough times - - I have been in the sewers - - I can tell you that - - but I have also been to Heaven:

“But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning 'round, oh oh oh, 'round 'round 'round 'round
He never listens to them
He knows that they're the fools
They don't like him
The fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning 'round
Oh, 'round 'round 'round 'round, oh”

So here I am running a bit late - - in my dressing gown from Hard day's Night Hotel - - got my bag ready with my camera and moth organ - - but I personally am no Lover of “Big Dunc' but I am 100,000% behind him today and every day that he shows such a commitment to The Blues and I do know that he is a truly generous and big hearted man and always has time for Blue's Fans - - so I am with you today and I might even say “Big Dunc” - - something I have never said before - - so I am off soon - - but as always filling myself with joy and energy and posso waves - - so I need a bit of Van to fill my soul and spirit:

“And I Will Stroll The Merry Way
And Jump The Hedges First
And I Will Drink The Clear
Clean Water For To Quench My Thirst
And I Shall Watch The Ferry-Boats
And They'll Get High
On A Bluer Ocean
Against Tomorrow's Sky
And I Will Never Grow So Old Again
And I Will Walk And Talk
In Gardens All Wet With Rain
Oh Sweet Thing, Sweet Thing
My, My, My, My, My Sweet Thing
And I Shall Drive My Chariot
Down Your Streets And Cry
'Hey, It's Me, I'm Dynamite
And I Don't Know Why'
And You Shall Take Me Strongly
In Your Arms Again
And I Will Not Remember
That I Even Felt The Pain.
We Shall Walk And Talk
In Gardens All Misty And Wet With Rain
And I Will Never, Never, Never
Grow So Old Again.
Oh Sweet Thing, Sweet Thing
My, My, My, My, My Sweet Thing
And I Will Raise My Hand Up
Into The Night Time Sky
And Count The Stars
That's Shining In Your Eye
Just To Dig It All An' Not To Wonder
That's Just Fine
And I'll Be Satisfied
Not To Read In Between The Lines
And I Will Walk And Talk
In Gardens All Wet With Rain
And I Will Never, Ever, Ever, Ever
Grow So Old Again.”

I just wonder sometimes how Van, Mr.Lennon and other great poets and artists just somehow know how we feel and can lift us and move us - - - just like Everton can and hopefully will do today - - music and poetry and football has the power to heal - - I truly believe that:
“And the music on the radio, and the music on the radio
Has so much soul, has so much soul
And you listen, in the night time
While we're still and quiet
And you look out on the water
And the big ships, and the big boats
Came on sailing by, by, by, by
And you felt so good, and I felt so good
I felt I want to blow my harmonica”

I guess some of you think I am a bit mad - - but now - - right now - - I am picking up my harmonica and I am sitting in my writing room in New Brighton and I am going to blow some notes for all you Blues - - here we go - - close your eyes and open your hearts and I guarantee you will hear it:

“When I understood the light, when I understood the light
In the golden afternoon, in the golden afternoon
In the golden afternoon, in the golden afternoon
In the golden afternoon when we sat and listened to Sonny Boy blow”

Everything is so good and so right:

“In the eternal moment, in the eternal moment
In the eternal moment, in the eternal moment
When you lived, when you lived
When you lived, in the light”

For my 70th Birthday I got a Holy Trinity Tee Shirt - - I do not normally wear football shirts or such - - but today I am going to wear it - - - Today is a Day To Be A True Blue - - It's a Bluetiful Day - - Maybe - - Just Maybe - - Today is The Day.

I send cosmic grooves out over the Blue Skies to All Blues everywhere - - Remember It's Great To Be an Evertonian.

With a firm handshake - - Vincent Van George.

Let's hope today's a good day for Evertonians!

Many wonderful memories of St Alex of the blistered feet. Best one was a 2-2 draw against United when he scored a sublime header at Gwladys Street end when he seemed to hang in the air forever. Happy days... we were true giants of the English game then.

I'd be perfectly happy with the same line up (although what would that mean as we've chopped and changed so much this season?) as long as they players look like they (a) care, and (b) believe. We've seen them do it in the odd game here and there, but then there'd be five in between where they didn't.

If I'd expect one strength from Ferguson it'd be spirit.

But what Ferguson can be guaranteed is the backing of the 40,000 Evertonians, so lets hope with increased effort from the players and 100% backing from the fans we can get a much needed win today.

Persisting with players in poor form; playing certain players together; playing players out of position - all very much part of the DNA of Silva and why he failed.

Right, I'm off to the match!

COYB!

I really don't remember Duncan Ferguson as a "one goal in a blue moon, and most of the rest of the time just kind of being a very slight 'nuisance' on the edge of the box" type of centre-forward!!!

In times like this, tactics and game plans don't mean as much. Sure effort and commitment can only take you so far, but this is the time when it's the only thing that matters.

Here's to three points and a rowdy crowd.

I think there will be one or even two 'statement' selection decisions and we'll win this.