Everton Season Summary

I am staying away from the papers at the minute because of the RS Blanket coverage and I missed this... But it's made my day.

I kinda forgot about Speedo Mick's exploits amidst all the gloom. Shame on me.

He has to be Evertonian of the year... He gets my vote all day long.

Two words.

Utter shite!

The club could take a lot out of Speedo Mick's story, because to pick himself off the floor, and turn his life around the way he has done, is a brilliant story. Not to mention the money he has made to help others, battling adversity, and pushing himself to the limit, a very uplifting story, except for the bit were he went out of his way to get to Anfield, during his long courageous walk!

Probably the biggest disappointment to me was that Ancelotti couldn't even match what Allardyce did and steer the club to 8th place.

When you look back at the comparisons, they are very similar: Big Sam took over a sinking ship with arguably a worse group of players again in 2017, yet his football was dismal but still produced an 8th-place finish.

For me, the football has been more or less equally as dire under Carlo, a nonentity going forward as an attack and only marginally better defensively.

Flops

Pickford – shocking since the World Cup and too big-headed and interested only in himself, mistakes now almost on a game-by-game basis.

Bernard – awful after a pretty decent start to his Everton career; it's clear now that the league isn't suited to him. Sad because I thought he was going to be a fans' favourite.

Gomes – injury aside, he's never been the most consistent player. One good game in six probably tells you why Barcelona got rid for a cheapish fee.

Iwobi – regressed into anonymity after a promising first two games when he looked very direct; hard to see a long-term future for him.

Sigurdsson – dead in the water; legs have gone so fast it's unbelievable after the previous year he finished with 13 goals, the decline has been rapid.

Davies – time to just accept he's not good enough and just move on. He's lived off the Man City goal but, in three years, he's gone backwards as a player.

Walcott – never going to rediscover the form of 10 years ago at Arsenal; works hard but he's had too long in the game now and the strengths he had have diminished.

Kean – two goals from a striker we all had high hopes for has not been good enough, let's not make excuses. He might come good but, right now, the jury is massively out.

Okay But Nothing Special

Coleman – legs won't allow him to be what he once was, thus reducing most of what made him the player he was.

Sidibé – looked okay going forward but defensively too fragile and indisciplined. We need better.

Digne – nowhere near the player he was in Silva's first season. I also hate hate hate the amount of stupid free-kicks he gives away in dangerous areas.

Mina – looks okay but maybe a little clumsy and his injury record is a huge concern. When we signed him, I thought he was going to be the new Sylvain Distin but it hasn't quite worked out that way has it?

The Improved Club

Holgate – better season than expected; still not sure he's really a rock of a centre-half that some have you believe but maybe this is just the type of centre-half that I grew up watching.

Keane –plays really well in the low block and, in that formation, is arguably our best defender. Struggles against pace, however.

Richarlison – kept up the regular scoring from a wide area that he did the previous season. Maybe too inconsistent in some games, the challenge will be can he score 20 next season?

Calvert-Lewin – a really good purple patch but again you feel towards the end some of the old frailties came back, scuffing shots, not connecting with headers. I still think he's a good backup striker but whether he's ever going to be good enough to score 20-25 every season, I'm doubtful, and that's where we need to be.

Gordon – a bit too soon even to really judge the lad but he's looked promising in the games he's had. Another couple of months where he bulks up a bit and we may see a better player again; let's wait and see.

Baines – an honourable mention to Leighton for being the professional and player he was for 13 years.

There you pretty much have it anyway.

Tony - If Speedo Mick mirrored an Everton player, many on here would have wanted him turfed out of the club because there is absolutely no chance whatsoever that a player could possibly turn his career around after his 20th birthday.

He'd get round that Kevin. He'd just change his name to Speedo Michacio.

Jim Bennings post kinda highlights that.

Calcio zombi

Very few have come out of this season with reputations enhanced. Except for a handful, the vast majority are worth less now than at the start of the season.

Ideally, a complete new spine to the team is needed, along with a right-back. Among these 5 new players, one who is Captain material is urgently required.

This summer, signings have to be spot on for a top 7 place. Another poor window will lead to a relegation battle of a season.