Season › 2019-20 › News Ferguson not looking beyond 'unbelievable' first win as caretaker manager Lyndon Lloyd Saturday, 7 December, 2019 75comments | Jump to most recent Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Duncan Ferguson was revelling in what he described as an “incredible experience” following Everton's pulsating 3-1 win over Chelsea at a bouncing Goodison Park today but insists he's not thinking about becoming permanent boss. The Toffees came into the game desperate for a result after three successive defeats that ultimately cost Marco Silva his job and Ferguson inspired his temporary charges to a hugely important victory that lifted the club out of the relegation zone. The Scot was installed as caretaker boss on Thursday evening following the Anfield derby defeat and Silva's dismissal with Everton sitting in the bottom three. Promising “blood and thunder” in his pre-match press conference, Ferguson was rewarded with a towering display from his players, an opener from Richarlison and a brace from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Article continues below video content “It was incredible today!” Ferguson beamed to BT Sport afterwards. “Honestly, I've never felt anything like it in my life. It was unbelievable. What an atmosphere. “I know we had to defend a lot and probably sit back and keep in a good shape and pick a time to break. I think we did that well, we kept our shape well and, as you can see, it was a 4-4-2 screening their two holders. I thought we did that well and we pressed the ball well when it went wide. “I thought Iwobi was unbelievable with his pressing; I thought all the players were absolutely fantastic.” Asked if he was looking beyond today and towards the next few matches, the 47-year-old quipped: “I'm just looking to get home for a lie down, I think! “No, I'm not looking too far ahead at all, to be honest with you. I was just looking at this game and that is it. We're just savouring the moment. It's three fantastic points for us, that's the main thing. He was pressed on the issue by Jake Humphrey who floated the idea that he will be going to the Board and putting himself for the role on a permanent basis. “Honestly, I won't be doing that. I'm here for Everton and I'm here for as long as they want me here. I'm sure they're out there looking for their candidates and rightly so — we want the best guys in the world managing our football club. “But this was just an incredible experience for me that no one can ever take away from me. “I think they (the hierarchy) saw how enthusiastic I was on the touchline but it's one game, it's one result.” In his post-match press conference, he joked, "I don't think I could go through it again, to be honest with you! "Listen, it was just one game at a time for me. I was asked to come in and I'd never turn down Everton Football Club but I'm also realistic. It was a game, I'm made up and delighted for the fans. Three points is massive for us." Reader Comments (75) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Andrew Heffernan 1 Posted 07/12/2019 at 19:10:57 100%... walk away now Dunc. Mick Howard 2 Posted 07/12/2019 at 19:26:55 Brilliant Duncan, well done loved every minute of it today, even if it only ends up being one game. We've had three continental tactical geniuses in Martinez, Koeman and Silva. None of them got the passion we had today. Amazing atmosphere and great to see the most tackles in the Premier League this season for any team. Iakovos Iasonidis 3 Posted 07/12/2019 at 19:32:43 Very proud of you big Dunc, I remember watching you as a 13 year old kid wearing our beautiful 1994 home shirt and now watching you managing our club... Emotional day. Thank you man. Brian Ronson 4 Posted 07/12/2019 at 19:35:49 Whoever is offered the job, Dunc has given a clear message to the owners that we don't want a pass, pass bore manager rather a blood and thunder manager who can animate players and supporters alike. Congratulations to him and all the players.Thought Schneiderlin was exceptional. Thanks Paul Hewitt 5 Posted 07/12/2019 at 19:44:53 Keep all your foreign fancy managers. I would prefer the blood and thunder of Duncan. Joe McMahon 6 Posted 07/12/2019 at 19:48:49 Mick @2 to be fair to Martinez in most of his first season ther was passion, home games against Arsenal and Man U spring to mind, a result at Old Trafford also.IMO if Duncan does manage a win next week at Man U, then he should be offered the position to the end of the season (if he wants it), then take in from there. Barry Rathbone 7 Posted 07/12/2019 at 19:50:43 Could see Dunc being as influential as Joe Jordan and Harry Redknapp if paired with the right manager. Clearly a lot more to him than putting cones out as alleged by some of our "cognescenti".Do his managerial confidence the power of good this experience, well in, Dunc Sam Hoare 8 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:00:22 Great result but he doesn't want and doesn't necessarily suit the job long term. Surely we've seen the caretaker fallacy (present iteration in Solsjkaer) enough.Well done Dunc. Enjoy it all. Mark Guglielmo 9 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:05:00 Lots of thinking with hearts, not heads today. Brilliant match, but he's not the long-term solution and since he knows as much himself, so does Brands.United doesn't quite look a struggling side at the moment, next week is gonna be a tough one at Old Trafford. COYB. Jerome Shields 10 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:22:34 Well done Duncan that's the way to look at it one game at a time. Steve Ferns 11 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:34:59 Too early to hope Saints beat Newcastle and Brighton beat Wolves? Or we still looking down and trying to get some distance? Jimmy Hogan 12 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:37:52 Can you imagine the ball boys jumping into Fat Sam's arms. I'll just leave that image there. Robert Tressell 13 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:42:35 What a gent. Handled the day and the press v well before and after the match. A couple more games of raw passion will do before he hands over the reins. Peter Roberts 14 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:46:18 Reminds me of Unsworth after he took one match after Martinez was sacked. Proud as punch to take the reins on what is known to be a temporary game-by-game situation but at least he inspired the players and that's what you want from your head coach/manager.Great job Dunc. Mark Guglielmo 15 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:47:34 Steve @11 just root for draws all around like I'm going to :-) Ian Riley 16 Posted 07/12/2019 at 20:56:53 Steve#11 other teams won't see us in the championship but us unless we win matches. Today we showed the work rate with the quality we have. Ferguson deserves all praise for tactics and getting the players to put in a shift. Why not Duncan? Perhaps his enthusiasm and club at heart may pull us up the table. He got goodison rocking and believing. Today doesn't fix the season but does set the bar high. Confidence to go forward is installed. No, we are not going to win five in a row but if we give all we can positive results will come.Duncan has passed his first test. The players played for him. The crowd played his tune. Not a bad Saturday! Andrew James 17 Posted 07/12/2019 at 21:06:32 Glad to see Calvert-Lewin scoring twice. Nudging closer to double figures for the season. I'm not saying Duncan Ferguson must be coach but just maybe he might be the spark for our young centre forward to go on a run, much like Ferguson himself did under Joe Royle. I've always felt that if he could put together a goal scoring run, he'd benefit from the confidence it would bring, shooting on instinct and gambling more. Thus far in his time leading the line, we've created so few chances for him that he probably thinks too much about them when they come along and that accounts for some of the sitters. Steve Ferns 18 Posted 07/12/2019 at 21:08:04 Enjoy your night Ian. Boxing is on now. Should cap off a good day. Tony Abrahams 19 Posted 07/12/2019 at 21:10:34 Duncan, Duncan Ferguson, Duncan, Duncan Ferguson, I've criticised the club for keeping you, carry on like today in I'll be criticising the club if they get rid of you!Early days the big fella, I know you love our club, but so do I, but I'm not interested in bollocks, I'm only interested in Everton, and you proved you was the man today, singing "We Shall Not Be Moved!" Andy Crooks 20 Posted 07/12/2019 at 21:14:22 Well done to Duncan Ferguson. He drove that team to victory. It was just to be. Anthony Dove 21 Posted 07/12/2019 at 21:20:01 Never been so pleased to be proved wrong. I never thought Duncan had it in him, but I do now. Pressure is now off the club making a horrendous knee jerk decision – ie, Moyes. Let's now give Duncan a decent run, and who knows – he could end up as a permanent appointment. Also, he won't break the bank, whichever way it goes. Richard Duff 22 Posted 07/12/2019 at 21:49:35 Dunc has always been my perceived avatar within Everton. If I was anything to do with the club, as would you, I would put the feelings of the fans first, the history of the great players who sweated and fought their own deamons of the time, who set an example of what is possible, and stand up to, chase, tackle, grapple, close down and intimidate every opposition player until they submitted while attempting to impose my skills and ability onto them. That would be the platform. From there, we would all go for goal by any means possible and look to score more than them. No matter who. David Pearl 23 Posted 07/12/2019 at 23:31:27 Tony, not that I'd ever remind you of criticising the club for keeping him. I think most of us have wondered why he is still there at one time or another. I don't suppose it would ever work to hire a manager who specialises in away victories and keep Duncan in for all the home games!! Tongue in cheek obviously but it was good to see him on the sidelines. And of course those ball boys will remember those celebrations for the rest of their lives.I wonder how close we are to making a decision. This is Everton and we all kind of expect it to drag on for weeks and weeks. I just hope it's sooner rather than later and the feeling isn't tainted for him. Old Trafford might be a tough ask but l fancy us against Leicester and Arsenal. Anyway, l was there for his goal against Utd, his hat trick against Bolton, him throwing Ince to the ground... and his final goal against WBA (if memory serves). This was a reminder to us all what feeling he served up for us. So cheers Duncan. Jim Bennings 24 Posted 07/12/2019 at 23:46:39 I'm going to reiterate what's been said, unless there's a top manager available and willing to come here (not Moyes, Dyche, Hughes, Howe or some other bland nobody) then give it to Duncan until May.I just think Everton suit a certain style of play, the tippy tappy stuff only works in certain teams who have sublime world class talent, it's not even working at City this season as Liverpool romp to a title win with gusto, grit and passion.I want that back at Everton FC.What I witnessed today I want back, not temporary but permanently and that means appointment of a manager that wears his heart on his sleeve, not someone who will over complicate a simple game. Peter Laing 25 Posted 07/12/2019 at 23:58:14 The players have shown in recent weeks that they lack guts and have been mentally brittle. That is quite simply down to fear and a lack of leadership. There are also players who are quite clearly not good enough. That being said, we are stuck with them at the moment, like it or loathe it. In that sense we have to work with what we have, mix it up, tackle like demons, get in the face of the opposition and there is also a bit of quality in the ranks.Duncan has distilled all of that into today's performance, and there are many on hear who have previously questioned his coaching credentials and worth to the Club given his peripheral role under successive previous managers.With a Director of Football in charge of recruitment and a lack of obvious and available managerial candidates at this stage of the season I see know harm in sticking with Duncan and letting him continue until the end of the season. Brands needs to find a top class centre back in January, spending big money if needed. With the fight shown today we are going to be more than alright under Duncan if today can be replicated. He at least deserves a pop at Ole and Man Utd next weekend. Conor Skelly 26 Posted 07/12/2019 at 00:07:07 I don't care what is logical. What I saw today made more sense to me than any manager I've ever seen. I personally believe the theory behind "football management philosophy" is flawed and that ultimately it comes down to the individual personality. The whole pretence of philosophy inspired performance no more than a pretentious aim at justifying one's position as manager and is a cringe-worthy myth. People respond to people and, for whatever reason, the Everton public and evidently the current first team respond to Duncan Ferguson. Ask yourself who you would want on the touchline? A worried and insecure faux intellect or a big passionate loyal leader that rips the book up, has no time for the word 'nuance', and demands nothing but battering the opposition. Duncan might be born to do this job. But he must be given a chance. I'm backing Duncan because what I saw today were the green shoots of our resurrection. Most likely not but we've got to take that chance. If Duncan can get us through Christmas with an even or positive goal difference, he will rightfully be given the job. There was something about today. Tom Magill 27 Posted 08/12/2019 at 00:31:38 Well done Dunc you've really brightened up my weekend. The passion, skill and determination shown by everyone today was absolutely brilliant!It reminds me what it is to be an Evertonian. Outstanding. COYB! Alexander Murphy 28 Posted 08/12/2019 at 00:36:14 Duncan inspired a great day at God's Acre today.Thanks Big Man.Long term? He says that he's there as long as Everton want him.Let's actually heed what he says, not get carried away with the relief, not all suddenly turning into gushing echoes of our Chairman.Keep it real and enjoy it in the moment.Great work, Big Dunc. Thanks. Jim Harrison 29 Posted 08/12/2019 at 02:05:34 Brilliant today, and now we should understand why he is at the club, he is part of the connection with the fans. But objective heads on, great result, fantastic to see the lads put a shift in, amazing to get the stadium pumping. BUT, can reverting to going long really be the change needed? How long until that gets sussed out. Does he have another way to play? Silva seemingly didn't, Bobby didn't often enough. Savour the moment, but let's not get carried away yet. I would rather have this one moment and wonder what if than it be tarnished. David Pearl 30 Posted 08/12/2019 at 02:17:01 It's funny isn't it. I'd forgotten we are without a manager. Derek Thomas 31 Posted 08/12/2019 at 02:26:38 The oft mooted New Caretaker Bounce did arrive. How high and for how long? – that is the question.Of course Ferguson is going to say exactly that. It's ALL about 1 game at a time, playing or managing. He can only do what he does and see what happens. He's got all the week to work on things for Man Utd away. Some rest and recovery, a bit of fine-tuning here and there, keep their crowd quiet, let them get on their team's backs for a change... I can't wait. Gavin Johnson 32 Posted 08/12/2019 at 03:03:00 Unless we can bring in a proven winner, like Ancelotti or Benitez, we should stick with Duncan until the summer. It would bring everyone down again if we appointed Vitor Pereira next week. He's just a carbon copy of Marco Silva. John Pierce 33 Posted 08/12/2019 at 03:24:01 It's a measure of the man that Duncan has inspired so many on these pages tonight. It's also a measure of the task ahead we are so desperate just to win and win with an identity. Personally I think he's a perfect caretaker, a few games, not an interim. It's given the board time to search for a replacement. For that they should be truly grateful. Steve Brown 34 Posted 08/12/2019 at 04:08:12 "It is the template: hard work, pride, passion, bleed for the club. They should do it anyway. This is their life, this club, and the position we are in the league is not good enough. But especially today we got that reaction and I'm very proud of them, to a man.†Big Dunc makes it sound so simple, but he engineered that win with one day to work with the squad. His excitement on the touchline also got the fans fired up. It's obvious that the ballboys and younger players love him, which is interesting as it shows he takes time with people at all levels of the club. We have to find a top manager who understands the personality of the club and is a winner. Hopefully, we can now all recognise why successive managers have kept Duncan at the club as a coach. Jay Harris 35 Posted 08/12/2019 at 05:09:33 I think under the last few managers he has had to keep his powder dry but today was an outpouring of his love for the club and the fans and he was rewarded with our best game of the season especially considering the circumstances. 2 days after the derby humiliation to prepare a tired and injury ravaged squad that needed lifting and pushing.Duncan gave us that is spades as well as keeping the crowd going.It will be a real difficult one at Old trafford but at least we can enjoy this weekend and being out of the relegation places. Gavin Johnson 36 Posted 08/12/2019 at 05:11:51 John #33You don't think Dunc should stay beyond a few games as caretaker, but doesn't it worry you that the new manager will just go back to similar tactics of just playing a 4-2-3-1 and playing from the back?? It seems to be what every manager does these days. Besides from installing some graft and passion I think Dunc might do very well because he might stick with a 4-4-2 which is an anomaly these days. I remember when Moyes was the first manager to use 1 up top regularly and teams weren't used to playing against that. Nowadays they're not used to playing against 4-4-2.What do other people think about sticking with a 4-4-2?? James Hill 37 Posted 08/12/2019 at 05:42:56 Amazing win let's have another next week and the week after. Winning is all that matters. Confidence allows you to play. Ian Jones 38 Posted 08/12/2019 at 07:07:45 Many of us have wondered, including me, what Duncan Ferguson's role has been at the club and how he has been kept on the coaching staff whilst the managers he has worked under have all fallen.On Friday, I watched Part 2 of Toffee TV's interview with Duncan. I will watch Part 1 at some stage.If you haven't seen these interviews, they are well worth watching. Saw them on YouTube.It might just change some people's views of him. He certainly has some interesting things to say. He definitely comes over as being loyal to the managers.Jay @ 35 has it spot on when he says 'I think under the last few managers he has had to keep his powder dry but today was an outpouring of his love for the club and the fans and he was rewarded with our best game of the season especially considering the circumstances.'I get the impression that Duncan would love to manage Everton one day, but realises he hasn't at the moment got the experience of the names being thrown around so probably not 'Fergie Time' just yet.Obviously, the usual route to becoming a manager would be to begin lower down the leagues and gradually work your way up.I can't see Duncan wanting to do this as he loves the city and the club, is grateful to the club for all it's given him, and wants the best for us. He's at the club he wants to be at already. If he got to be Manager, and failed, not sure where he'd go then. I think it would be hard for him to contemplate managing elsewhere.As some on TW have alluded to, football is a very simple game made complicated by all the other stuff going on. Martin Berry 39 Posted 08/12/2019 at 08:57:37 Brilliant feeling at Goodison again, Big Dunc kept it simple with 4-4-2 which sets us up to try and win the game ! and long ball to put Chelsea on the back foot.Footballers want simple instructions not a rocket manual and it did the trick, that and a load of graft and commitment. Kunal Desai 40 Posted 08/12/2019 at 09:20:37 Commitment, effort and passion. Something that has been missing at Goodison for quite some time. That's all Evertonians ask for. Thank you, big Dunc. Mike Gwyer 41 Posted 08/12/2019 at 09:33:19 You have to play to your players strengths and Duncan did exactly that. DCL cannot play as a stand alone striker, full stop. The ball was put into their penalty box at every given opportunity with numerous players supporting DCL.DCL with Richarlison supporting worked well. Tackling in packs worked extremely well and Schneid's roaming with more freedom also worked extremely well. As a fan, what more can you ask for? Most fans were standing for the full 90 minutes, I kid you not the full 90 minutes AND supporting the team, it was not just shouting abuse at certain players.The fans at Goodison want to see passion & pride from the players and then they WILL respond. Brands will have seen that for sure yesterday. As per days gone by, Duncan has reminded Goodison what a number 9 should do and what the fans should do. It was a great day to be a blue. Andrew Yates 42 Posted 08/12/2019 at 09:37:55 I've not felt Goodison Park rocked to its core like that for some time. That is what Big Dunc brought, he galvanised the team and the support as one and we swept Chelsea away.Get him a genius No.2 akin to the Clough/Taylor model and go for it, there is no other person in the world who could have done what Duncan did yesterday, fact.I don't want some fancy Portuguese, Spanish, Italian experienced boss who's 'been there and done it', they are not Everton, Duncan is and if it's 4-4-2 steam rolling teams and getting scrappy goals then that's fine. Probably overly emotional after yesterday but sod it why not.Our Ferguson can take us to OT next week and make them play and the supporters will love every second. Mike Benjamin 43 Posted 08/12/2019 at 09:45:08 Perhaps the answer is to bring in Moyes with Dunc as his assistant. That is assistant and not just a miscellaneous coaching role like he's had under the last 3 managers. FFS he wasn't even allowed to work with the strikers this season, that was taken over by Boa Morte. Perhaps have Cahill involved as well. Jay Woods 44 Posted 08/12/2019 at 09:52:34 Mike Benjamin... any "solution" that includes Moyes would be utterly intolerable. Christopher Timmins 45 Posted 08/12/2019 at 10:13:00 Such a vital win, it takes us out of the relegation spots, it give the club more time to obtain a long term solution to the managerial position and it gives all supporters a lift after a terrible two weeks leading into the game. Thank you Duncan!With regards to the game itself, our right back has a role to play going forward, is that his third or fourth assist? He needs cover behind him maybe we could have a Coleman - Sidibe axis on the right. We don't have sufficient pace in the central areas of our back four to play a high line and until such time as a centre half with pace is acquired we should scrap same. We also saw the advantages of keep DCL and Charlie closer together.No matter what system you play, no matter how well you are or are not playing when you have the ball it should be a given that without the ball you are working your socks off to get it back. Some players worked harder yesterday than they have for the previous 10 games.Steve Ferns, what's the story with the former Munch manager, I believe he was at the game, as regards the way he likes to set up? Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks! Kevin Murray 46 Posted 08/12/2019 at 10:16:58 Absolutely delighted with the game yesterday. Obviously only one game but Duncan did what a good coach does. Got the best out of the players.I think the powers that be need to look at Duncan seriously. There's no need to panic and rush into an appointment now.Manchester United appointed Solskjaer mid December last year and gave him until the end of the season. We are not likely to get into Europe and does it really matter this season?Let Duncan carry on and see how it goes. Keep it simple. UTFT! Gavin Johnson 47 Posted 08/12/2019 at 10:22:48 It's a pity Cahill isn't further along with his coaching. Having Dunc with Cahill has his No.2 could be a dream ticket. Both embodied fight and spirit more than any other players in Everton premier league history Mat Smith 48 Posted 08/12/2019 at 10:29:33 I think the problem for Dunc is that he loves the club so much he just wants to always be a part of it in some capacity.he is probably scared that if he took the role, failed and was sacked that would be the end of any involvement at Everton Just a thoughtBut would love to see him given a few more games though - absolutely loved seeing him on the touchline, finally a manager with passion and you could see fight in the team! Mike Benjamin 49 Posted 08/12/2019 at 10:31:29 Jay#44 Yesterday we found out what Duncan can bring when he is given responsibility, I think all he needs is a bit of guidance. Of all the names branded around as manager perhaps Moyes is the best fit in terms style of play and knowing the club. One thing for sure I have not been as ecstatic being at a game as I was yesterday for a long long time and I want more of it. Lee Courtliff 50 Posted 08/12/2019 at 10:54:41 Very, very emotional. So many childhood memories of Big Dunc.On his day he was unstoppable but never fulfilled his potential...maybe that will actually help him as a manager?"Unfinished business..." type of thing. Frank Crewe 51 Posted 08/12/2019 at 11:10:21 I think Dunc has to consider his own future here. If he isn't the next manager, whoever it is, might decide to bring in their own coaching staff. If he does, Ferguson, Ebrell, Jeffers and Unsworth could all find themselves out of a job.Just like most of the jobs in professional football, coach is not a job for life, especially at the one club. Dunc has to progress his career at some point – otherwise, other coaches will be brought in over his head. If the manager job is offered to him, even if it's just for an interim period to see how he shapes up, I think he has to take it. If he has doubts about his ability to manage a big club like Everton, he has to overcome them. An opportunity like this will not come along again, so he has to grab it with both hands and give it his best shot. He's got off to a great start and I have no doubt the supporters are 100% behind him. So onwards and hopefully upwards. Brian Wilkinson 53 Posted 08/12/2019 at 14:18:08 So what was different yesterday from games before?Duncan Ferguson, that was the difference, he drilled home what Everton is all about, there was none of this writing pad and explaining to a sub for ten minutes what to do – he told the players to go out and play for each other, he kept it simple and let the players do what they do best.Every time there was a 50-50 ball, we got in there, if we lost the ball. Players chased and closed the opponents down, yesterday they played as a team.Keep the game simple and stop over complicating the game with numerous tactics that would baffle even Einstein.Before we bring in a new manager, I would certainly give Duncan the Leicester cup game at Goodison.For the first time in a long time yesterday, Everton got their identity back, let's get Goodison rocking for the Leicester cup game, let these players get their confidence and belief back. After that, then and only then, bring in a new manager. For now, though, if I was Everton, I would hold back rushing to bring a new manager in. Julian Exshaw 54 Posted 08/12/2019 at 14:28:19 Is it because days like those yesterday are so rare that it makes them so special? I don't care who the board eventually employ, he will never stir the emotions like Big Dunc did yesterday. That was awesome in every sense. Paul Jeronovich 55 Posted 08/12/2019 at 14:31:28 That was the best atmosphere for years. Cheers big man ðŸªðŸ» Joe McMahon 56 Posted 08/12/2019 at 14:44:47 Mike @43, can we not put Moyes to rest? He's in the same bracket as Alan Pardew, Mark Hughes, Alan Irvine and Owen Coyle. No-one wants them. They are yesterday's men, and none were that great in the first place. I even consider Sam Allardyce and Neil Warnock better than that lot. James Hughes 57 Posted 08/12/2019 at 15:01:38 To add to Joe's post, can we also keep the Spanish waiter away from our club. What you saw yesterday was Everton at its best – and its best involves love and passion for our club. Would you get that from Rafa Beneauthus? No, you wouldn't. I only got to watch the highlights but it looks like those who were there had a great time. COYB Derek Knox 58 Posted 08/12/2019 at 15:51:23 Gavin @ 32 & 36, I am going to disagree on your first suggestion on your statement: "Unless we can bring in a proven winner, like Ancelotti or Benitez", while I would not dispute they have been winners in the past. The 'past' being the operative word and with totally different (money no object) Clubs, I have been doing quite a lot of research myself recently with the situation regarding Silva, and looked into various possible candidates.I feel both of the above would have little or no interest in 'us as a Club' – beyond that of a pre-retirement and mercenary incentive. I feel we should have a younger, but experienced Manager, who is something of an unknown quantity in this country, but nevertheless a proven winner. Preferably one who is NOT another Premier League Club admirer or supporter.Which brings me to your formation question to which I totally agree with and with the players we currently have, I believe that 4-4-2 is the only pattern. Playing with one up front only works if you have a Lukaku or the likes, but it was in evidence yesterday that, with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, the chances were increased dramatically. Leicester have also looked better when Vardy is paired with Iheanacho.Like most posts on these pages, I have expressed my opinion which may or may not be shared by everyone else, and I am by no means declaring that I am necessarily right, or wrong. Michael Lynch 59 Posted 08/12/2019 at 17:02:49 It was only one match, but top marks to the big man and top marks for his interviews too. Maybe we've underestimated Duncan Ferguson? Maybe he's our Klopp? Passion, a simple philosophy, and a good footballing brain? Gavin Johnson 60 Posted 08/12/2019 at 18:15:21 Derek #58Personally, I'm just fed up trying to find the next big thing. Tbh, I don't even mind if it's an up and coming manager rather than a Benitez type who has won things at every level if the up and coming manager has won a trophy in a comparable league, like Germany, or Spain, but no more managers who have won cups in Greece and Portugal. And I know people will be respond that Mourinho wasn't bad. I just mean the recent batch of managers like Silva and Vitor Periera, who seem like the same fella when you analyse their experience and record.But yes, going back to the formation. It's remarkable that the disjointed side that had no Identity under Silva now looks ten times better and is starting to forge an identity in the managers image. We need to calm it down at the moment but I really hope Dunc gets given until the end of the season if he can get a positive result against United or Arsenal Chad Schofield 61 Posted 08/12/2019 at 18:31:03 It was brilliant yesterday!!! All our players showed controlled aggression, and a bit of a nasty side that's been lacking. We were direct, focused, in their faces and we won.I completely agree, I don't think anyone else could have roused the team or the stadium up like that. Cahill maybe, possibly Arteta... but not Moyes.I don't want Moyes back. Like any ex in a relationship that went on too long, rekindling it would just be sad and almost instantly the things that grated would resurface. He was great when he first came in, the People's Club, pride, aggression and importantly stability. But he should have left for his own good a few seasons earlier. How he left and his actions directly after (while talking about himself in the third person at Man Utd) were completely unnecessary. He's bounced around a few other clubs, and we don't need the "knife to a gunfight", KITANO, dour, dull, out of position, crap we'd get. It's a worse idea than Peter Andre taking Jordon back.Personally I'd love it if Duncan got the job. He can have a longer game-by-game 'interview'. I'd want to see how he would react when things aren't going great... but I'd much rather he brought out the Goodison roar, and a metaphoric Glaswegian kiss to our opposition. I loved he changed the formation, but I'd want him to change it up home away and depending on the opposition... the opposite of Moyes and most of the subsequent managers - not counting Martinez's Lukaku on the left trick which after it surprised Arsenal got used in the same way Maclaren kept trying to surprise teams with early 3 attacking subs (I know he wasn't at Everton)... but at least he didn't constantly get surprised, unlike Koeman. The fact that Ferguson alluded to that is good. It's very good, but it's early doors.We're at a crossroads. Another bloody crossroads. It might not be the right time for Big Dunc, but I hope it is. I've been crying out for some passion, but it has to be legitimate, genuine passion, not manufactured just because Klipperty hops about at Mordor. Duncan Ferguson doesn't do manufactured. He seems very much to have grown up. I'd love him to get it. I'd love him to haul our club into where we should be... but maybe it's hoping too much in a very first managerial position.Anyone without Premier League experience is going to struggle though. Maybe the only thing we can do is to enjoy it. For all the negative 'dithering' Moshiri stuff, I'm hoping he learnt his lesson with Unsworth, pre-Allardyce (God, what a prick that man is). Terry Farrell 62 Posted 08/12/2019 at 19:32:12 Chad spot on about Moyes. Let's give Dunc until the end of the season and see where we are. He inspires people and those who slagged him off on hear without knowing what they were talking about should be embarrassed! Alexander Murphy 63 Posted 08/12/2019 at 20:00:52 Hear! Hear!@Terry F.Plenty have questioned Big Dunc's coaching input, happily playing the cleverarse and inferring that all his contribution amounted to was setting out and collecting the cones for training. Shame upon them.Where do these cockfarts get their "information" from ?But its so bloody easy to spew out their unsubstantiated vapour and not be held into account.Do not misunderstand Me. I am not proclaiming a new messiah. I'll comfortably take a leaf from The Big Mans book. He's in no rush to claim the Throne to God's Acre, he was simply happy beyond measure to have made a much-needed contribution even for a single fixture. Bravo Duncan.As he correctly said, that if all that his managerial contribution amounts to was that single day and just three points then he'll take that with great pride. Bravo Duncan, because I was there and it was glorious.Inevitably there will be some who are carried away upon a tide of positive emotion, that's their way. There will be those inevitable types here who can not even enjoy a single day in the sun. Well given the abject misery of Wednesday's derby, I can begin to understand their position without necessarily agreeing.If Big Dunc is given another fixture then I suspect that he'll be delighted and flattered and keen as mustard. If only that would guarantee us three more points that would be magic, but let's be realistic, our underperformers could just as easily let Duncan down as they failed Marco. The difference (I suspect, but can not prove) might be that he is an entirely different man to deal with in such circumstances.How long might "Duncan's Feelgood Roadshow" last ?Take that same leaf out of his post-match interview.All that I do know is that right now it feels bloody marvellous being an Evertonian again, a feeling that was haemorrhaging away from Me these last months.Thanks, Duncan. Terry Farrell 64 Posted 08/12/2019 at 20:18:49 Alex here here and hear hear 😠Andrew Dempsey 65 Posted 08/12/2019 at 20:58:34 It would be such a foolhardy thing to appoint a foreign permanent manager in the next few weeks. And, even more foolish to appoint an outsider as interim manager, with their own ideas, coaching staff etc.Duncan simply has to be given the job till the end of the season, just off that performance. One day to work with the players! Do you honestly think the level of graft he inspires is going to get us relegated? No chance. It's more likely to win us the FA Cup. Rob Marsh 66 Posted 08/12/2019 at 21:01:04 There's plenty of coaches in Dunc's position who have stepped in at the behest of the club and failed poorly first game, maybe familiarity breeds contempt amongst the players?I'm impressed they really played for Dunc, maybe just perhaps there's a natural leader in there? There was no signs of the lacklustre approach under Silva.I hope the board rewards him with the job until seasons end if he keeps this up until the new year, then come to the decision about a permanent manager. Barry McNally 67 Posted 08/12/2019 at 22:58:52 Somebody on here wrote a few days ago that after Moyes' last game, he met Kevin Sheedy at a post-game event, and Sheedy said that Ferguson was ready for the job even back then. I also found the link below in the ToffeeWeb archives:Link John Reynolds 68 Posted 09/12/2019 at 01:34:05 36-odd hours on, with a few glasses of red wine on board, I think that Dunc's final whistle celebrations yesterday are the highlight of my Everton years since Gareth Farrelly and Jean-Luca Vialli's goals in May 1998. (There's still a sod of Goodison in the front garden from the post match pitch invasion, dancing with friends and strangers in The Clock and missing my flight.)I'm lucky enough to have been around in the 80s. We're a long way from there but it's not impossible. It begins with belief. That came back yesterday. Systems, formations, tactics are all important but irrelevant without that sense. If Dunc can instill it in the players beyond today then he has my vote.All I know about his role in the club is that he has been retained under 4 managers. Lots of people have disparaged him as Duncan McCones and suchlike, but I've always felt he has been underrated. On the few occasions he has granted interviews he's come across as much more intelligent, thoughtful and reflective than the common view of him suggests.Finally, he has met my 8-year-old nephew on trips over from Ireland over the past 3 years and every time he has been warm, welcoming and made his day. That little man has suffered slings and arrows in school from Man City and Liverpool fans but kept the faith and he's watched Dunc hugging the ballboy at least 25 times. He'll go into class with his chin up tomorrow.We can be heroes, just for one day. Mike Veitch 69 Posted 09/12/2019 at 14:38:19 I think that you guys have all lost the plot on the new manager. We need a manager that has always taken his teams to the top, consistently. So Benitez, Howe and the rest do not fit the fill.So how about Ange Postecoglou for the new manager. Most of you will never heard of him. He has done miracles as a player and a manager everywhere he has gone.As a manager, he took Brisbane Roar from nowhere to two successive A-league championships in Australia, The Roar went over 30 games undefeated - a record. He then took Australia to the 2014 World Cup where they performed credibly. He then qualified Australia for the 2018 World Cup but, after qualification, he moved to a club in the J-league in Japan. I have recently heard that his Japanese team have won the J-league for the first time in over 20 Years.To me, he seems to me to be a better risk than most of the others being speculated on TW. Steve Ferns 70 Posted 09/12/2019 at 14:46:25 Interesting shout Mike. You are right I have never heard of him. Do you think it would be a very brave move to put him in ahead of the candidates discussed above? Also, what makes you think he could handle the egos in our £500m dressing room? Andrew Dempsey 71 Posted 09/12/2019 at 14:52:03 Erm, who? Postecoglu? No, thanks, Mike.Where is the romance or excitement in that? You're really missing the point aren't you.Duncan is our manager now. We all trust him. He's let us know he understands what's required. It's a simple decision to appoint him till May. No need to pressure him any further with a Solksjaer like contract, just till the end of the season. Bob Parrington 72 Posted 09/12/2019 at 21:34:01 Interesting Mike? He's never been my sort of manager but, to be fair, I can't say that he's had a really great bunch of players to work with before I get a reaction to this comment, I use this in a relative sense. He has been quite successful but the EPL is a far cry from those leagues he has managed in. A leap up to Everton might be a step too far. Mike Veitch 73 Posted 10/12/2019 at 03:47:47 Steve (70), Andrew (71) and Bob (72). I agree with most of what you say. The step up to the EPL would probably be a step too far and Postecoglou would be an enormous risk. But there is something quite magical about the guy.Thinking outside the square, couldn't Everton sign him up and then loan him out in the Championship - just like we do with players. That would enable us to see what we are buying and reduce the risk and cost. Is loaning out managers allowed in the UK leagues?I agree with Andrew (71) that in the near term Big Dunc needs to be given a run to see what he can deliver - possibly until the end of the season. John Boon 74 Posted 10/12/2019 at 05:30:26 Points to be made:(1) Duncan made all Evertonians feel great last Saturday(2) We have totally screwed up in appointing managers over the last few years(3) We should forget about appointing any manager who is unable to communicate fluently and with passion.(4) Preferably he will have Premier League experience, either as a player or a manager(5) He must be accepted by at least 80% of the fans.(6) Give Dunc at least six games to prove himself. He inspires the fans as much as he does the players.(7) While we may be in a desperate situation rushing to sign a new manager will be one more huge mistake.(8) MOST IMPORTANT: He must already despise those people on the wrong side of Stanley Park. Mike Veitch 75 Posted 10/12/2019 at 14:52:44 John (74). I think using your criteria (number 8) that we can rule out Ange Postecoglou as I understand he is a Liverpool supporter. But then who isn't, apart from you and me and the others on TW. Terry Farrell 76 Posted 11/12/2019 at 06:57:57 I will lose the plot if I hear 1 more ex pro particularly RS ex pro proclaim that Moyes is perfect to steady the ship. What a joke! He really steadied the ship at Sunderland didn't he. Drove them full ahead into the rocks and look where they are now. Stick with Dunc for the foreseeable and then assess. This is not the time for snap decisions. 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