Everton recover after dreadful start at Blackpool

Almost midnight here and I'm going to sit up so I can read updates of the game, oh Everton why do I love you so.

My feed has finally started working. Thought the club would have a full programme going from 2:30pm, but it's the same old amateur setup.

Anyone got a link to an audio commentary?

There should be something on the official site, David. I've got a link from the club as a member so I'm watching the game itself.

Thanks Steve. Usually the Audi is free and there is a link but not today!

It must be because the audio team (“Daz and Snods”) are on video commentary.

Mina as reliable as ever.

Would you get it on any global channels?

Bolasie and Besic on the bench, they're like a pair of new signings. Exciting times eh.

Steve Ferns, is the members live game feed working and up and running?

As ever, it doesn't seem to be working. I'm logged in with my membership, and just seeing a still image about the live match. When I click on the play arrow, it displays my correct membership details, an option to log out, or to become a member.

When I click on my membership details it loops back to the still image of live match.

Every year. EVERY year it's the same. They really should have got this together by now.

It's working and we've just kicked off.

And we're behind!

I'm supporting Ancelotti just to spite you"

Creepy fucker,"I'm supporting Ancelotti just to spite you"

Creepy fucker,,,0,15:01:00,,2.216.171.148,gated,13643,08/22/2020 15:01:00,dashin@cheerful.com,suspended,,,no 1086638,39801,toffeeweb,22/08/2020,Dave Abrahams,dave.abba@hotmail.com,"Jay (12), same thing happening to me, lovely blank page. Nothing changes, as you say, or as Mrs Barrett-Baxindale says, “The club thrives and doubles its efforts because of magnificent and outstanding supporters like us.

FFS, we really must be daft to stand for it.

Thought you were joking, Steve!

Some news for fans of squad numbers:

Mason Holgate is now 4 (changed from 2).
Anthony Gordon is now 24 (changed from 42);
Jonjoe Kenny is now 28 (changed from 43).

Signals that the latter two are to be more involved? Holgate has taken a centre-back's number and left 2 free for a new right back. If Kenny was 2, then that would be a big statement.

Photo of the Blackpool pitch now being displayed, but not a soul on it!!

Gordon is playing a free role. Perhaps Number 10. Iwobi is wide left. I think Kean is wide right, but he keeps getting up with Calvert-Lewin. Davies and Sigurdsson are central.

Match is on Arena Sports.

3-0 down now.

We got ripped apart again. 2-0 down and our defence is a shambles. Holgate looks drunk and Kenny lost.

3-0 down as a drunk Holgate gives them a goal.

3 down

3-0 blackpool with nine minutes gone. We look an utter shambles.

3-0 to Blackpool after 10 minutes. This is a joke :-)

Are we seriously 3 down already??!!

You're one step ahead of me, Dave.

All I see against a blue backdrop are the two club badges, Blackpool v Everton Behind closed doors.

They're spot on about it behing behind closed doors!!!

Consistently useless on delivery of live games when even lower league clubs have an easy and smooth service.

Sadly yes Julian. Totally devoid of confidence.

Jay, you shouldn't be complaining about not being able to see – you should be celebrating, mate!

Jay, you're better off than watching this horror show. I'm waiting for Mason Holgate to take his mask off at half time and be revealed to be Claus Thomsen. That's how bad he's played, particularly the pass out straight to their striker to score from edge of the box.

We look very poor all over the pitch, but the defence has been pathetic.

Sign of things to come, I'm afraid... defence getting a stuffing from Blackpool... OMG!

And there is no way of getting in touch with them over the phone, not just today but any day, all the usual numbers are not being recognised. Stinks to high heaven, season after season.

And in the time I wrote the previous post, we cough up another two goals!

WTF is going on???!!!

Perhaps I'm blessed in NOT getting the stream!

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores a header from a corner. 1-3.

The game, from our point of view, seems to be following a similar pattern to a lot of our games during the season: Possession with no urgency or decent movement, and a woeful defensive awareness.

Jesus Christ, has Ancelotti learned nothing? If Steve Ferns is correct...

Sigurdsson in the middle again??? Wtf!!

Iwobi wide left??? Wtf!!!

Kean wide right??? Wtf!!

Stupidly risking Digne??? Wtf!!

4-4-2 with that group of players??? Wtf.

Graham, it's hard to read the formation. Iwobi is wide left. Sigurdsson is central. Davies is central and right. Kean is up top and right. Gordon is in number 10 in minute then dropping in at right back. I think this is the problem. The team and the defence is all over the place.

Just won a penalty, right on the edge of the box. Soft pen but good to see Calvert-Lewin go down well. Gylfi pushed Calvert-Lewin away to take and score the penalty.

3-2 now.

Calvert-Lewin and Sigurdsson arguing over who takes the penalty.

To concede 3, yes 3 goals in 15 mins is shambolic and proves this lot don't give a shit.

No such thing as a friendly in sport as far as I am concerned, this sort of thinking is why this club is a laughing stock.

What league are Blackpool in again?

Tom Davies is having a 'mare, sadly. Lad needs a loan desperately.

Thanks Steve & Brian for the updates.

You're doing a better job than the club site!

Alex I'll loan him MY boots.

Think that's harsh Alex. Mason Holgate was directly responsible for 2 of the goals. But he's usually our best defender.

Branthwaite has looked like a kid. Gylfi has taken a penalty and overwise hasn't done anything.

Davies is the only one trying to do anything.

Jay, you're welcome, mate, but basically, if you replay any of our poorest performances from last season, you'll be as good as seeing today's game.

We've really woken up now and we're all over them. We'll win this. If so, then surely it shows there is fight and a will to win.

I'm not a voice of doom or pessimistic but, if that squad starts the season, we will be fighting to stay up... and we can't fight because they are all gobshites.

Steve, lay off that sauce mate, lol.

Nothing personal against him, Steve. The lad has zero confidence but can't defend and doesn't offer anything going forward and can't carry the ball.

A loan to the Championship would do him good (just my opinion, of course!). He's the result of years of mismanagement.

Alex, you weren't far wrong until you posted: He's the result of years of mismanagement.

He's surely the result of his own skillset?

I completely disagree, Alex. I think the turnaround has been because Davies in particular got about them and got us a foothold in midfield so we can get our better players on the ball and our quality has then told.

Davies does this all the time and gets no credit. The lad never gets any credit for anything. I think he's good enough for the bench at least and will get better and better with age.

Let's not flannel the situation.

We can kid ourselves that Ancelotti has made the defence better: he hasn't, we still leak shit goals.

Our midfield is the worst I've seen at Everton since 1997-98 season and currently certainly the worst in this league.

Our lack of intelligence up front, Moise Kean is a substitute at best, plays the game with his head down and to me just looks like another Sandro.

Where are our wide options?

What the hell are we going to do at right-back against crafty quality sides?

I can only see a season of real struggle and one of a dog fight to reach 40 points.

I respect your opinion, Steve, and if you said that a few years back, I would've agreed.

Brian a few years back, I saw Davies on his debut against Norwich where I believe we won 3-0 last home game of the season. He looked promising. But I do believe the lad has been poorly managed.

He's played under what must be six managers in a few years and wasn't ready to be starting and got thrown into different systems and for me stunted his growth. I still don't think he knows what his best position is.

Point taken, Alex.

Alex, the reality is that we will sign one of Doucouré or Allan. I think we will sign both. Add in Sigurdsson, Gomes, and Delph, then Davies is 6th choice.

If he's 5th or 6th choice, then the criticism is extremely harsh. Yet Gylfi, our record signing doesn't get half the criticism Davies gets and it completely baffles me. Gylfi has been very poor again today. Holgate has had a nightmare, but yet Davies gets singled out. That's just ridiculous.

As for the game, we've turned it round well. It's only pre-season and, if we go on to win this and keep dominating midfield, then that's not as bad as was being made out.

Steve,

I've said it a few times about Holgate, I'm bit scared of having an opinion but he's just not a great defender.

Fans think he's great because he can be good on the ball but that doesn't make a great defender (just ask John Stones).

I want to see a Richard Gough type defender throwing his head at things, reading moves before they happen, I'm not arsed if he can pass a ball.

We start this defence next season in certain games and we will struggle badly.

Sigurdsson poor, Holgate unrecognisable, the midfield over-run for most of the game. We may well win this but, against a half-decent Premier League side, we'd be three down still.

Not sure what Ancelotti's plan is to be honest. We look like eleven donkeys in a field.

Agreed, Steve, we have turned it around; and I also agree on Gylfi. His legs have gone and he isn't a centre-midfielder.

Allan and Doucouré would transform our midfield and with Gomes and a hopefully fit Gbamin then Davies does fall down the order. I was suggesting a loan so the lad gets some stability, regular game time, and hopefully some confidence.

I think we can both agree that we both hope he gets back to that original promise! I'll stop spamming the comments section anyway! Here's hoping to a good second half!

Happy days are here again... etc, etc, etc.

Alex, I don't think Gylfi's legs have gone at all. As you say, he's not a central midfielder. He cannot play so deep. However, he's too slow in possession to be a Number 10 and his end product isn't good enough.

The engine is there, but the brain is not in tune with being so deep. He's so slow he's often out the picture, but Tom Davies with his never-say-die attitude is always In the picture and so he gets all the criticism.

I call it the Tony Hibbert effect. He often got shit on here when it was bloody Jagielka who'd made the real error, but because Jags had pace and could recover, people unfairly turned on Tony.

We have not got the players for 4-4-2. I can see it – why can't our coaches?!

Steve, I wonder whether Tom takes more stick than Sigurdsson because (well speaking for myself anyway) nobody really gives a fuck about Sigurdsson whereas they do about Davies.

Sigurdsson has deteriorated so quickly, it's unbelievable and for me is a lost cause (wish he would get lost).

I like Tom Davies but he's just not quite up to the job in hand at the moment. He needs to improve his awareness for one thing. He never backs away from trying though, unlike some of the cowards we have in our squad.

Changes for the second half:

Lössl on for Pickford;
Coleman on for Kenny;
Walcott on for Kean;
Keane on for Branthwiate.

Brian, I don't think Sigurdsson has deteriorated. I always thought he was this shit. I was desperately against signing him.

Wish they'd have listened to you, Steve!

Well, I'd have kept Barkley instead. So not many would agree with that.

'Well, I'd have kept Barkley instead. So not many would agree with that.'

I'd be in the minority agreeing with you, Steve.

Sigurdsson reminds me of a player I played with in Sunday league. I was in my early twenties and he was somewhere over 40.

You could see he'd been a very good player but the ale and the fags had taken their toll (lol).

Sigurdsson... what is the point of this man?Wwhat else is he good at?

Decorator, taxi driver... there must be something he is good at?

Still waiting for something to happen in the second half.

Besic coming on, yellow after 3 mins, off after 10? Lol.

Brian (69) - quote: "You could see he'd been a very good player but the ale and the fags had taken their toll."

That could have been me!

Besic, Gibson, Bolasie and the new left back all on. Holgate, Digne, Gordon and Iwobi off.

Bolasie has 29, Nkounkou 19, Besic 30 and Gibson is still 37.

My lips are sealed, Gerry, and I won't say his name coz he'd probably still fill me in now!

How can at least half of the squad we have be considered Premier League footballers?

The sad thing is the incompetent idiots who scouted and bought these players have earned a small fortune and are probably still involved in bringing more shite onboard.

Thought you were talking years there on first reading, Steve, or that post included a lot of typos.

Then I thought: 'Shirt numbers'. Got it.

Worst one I had was back in '72, playing for my ship (HMS Grenville) in Peterhead Prison. I played on the wing and I beat the right back a few times. He then told me that he would kill me if I did it again. Not being sure as to why he was in such a high security prison, I decided to switch wings for the last 30 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sigurdsson in centre-midfield doesn't work, so why persist with it? Maybe in a 4-2-3-1 as the central attacking midfielder but a huge 'no' to everything else. I hate criticising players but this is down to Ancelotti and starting Gylfi today is just plain wrong, it gives out all the wrong signals.

Brands should be working overtime to find him another club or simply pay up his contract if necessary... For Christ's sake, 'fall on your sword' for once! A stupid signing in the first place and not the only one sadly.

Sorry Jay, I made reference to Kenny having 28, Gordon switching to 24 and Holgate to 4. You can read something into that, but it probably means nothing.

Niels Nkounkou is looking impressive. Great pass into Walcott who was fouled and a great free kick from Gylfi right on the edge of the box and it's 3-3.

We need a squad: we should be looking at Butland or Pope, Pol Lirola, Celik (who has been mentioned, looks goood to me), Sergiu (St Gallen centre-back), Malang Sarr, Doucouré (also linked), Benrahma, Buendia, Boga, Bailey (Leverkusen, also looks good and has been linked), and Belloti would also help us.

I would sell Richarlison, he clearly wants out... not to mention Sigurdsson and Walcott.

Don't expect any of those players though...

Still no stream for me and I can't find any audio commentary.

How are we looking going forward? Looking like equalising or even going on to win it?

Bolasie looks like he's got five pounds worth of copper in his back pocket weighing him down.

Ellis Simms on for Calvert-Lewin and Kyle John on for Gylfi. Interesting move. Let's get the win, boys.

Ellis Simms is wearing 50 and Kyle John has 48. Simms is up top. I think John is at right wing as Walcott looks more central (Number 10).

The new left-back from France looks good. Second half has had a lot of changes. Ellis Simms just come on for Calvert-Lewin.

Kyle John? Now that is an interesting one... keep us informed, Steve.

If anyone ever says Besic could do a job or is better than Davies, I refer them to that almost fatal pass just then. No pressure on him at all and just passed to them.

And again, playing out from the back, he just put it into the stands. The guy is not even Championship level.

Don't think anyone would say that, Steve, surely?

Bolasie looks pretty sharp on the ball. Pleasantly surprised. Besic looks awful though.

Not saying anyone has directly said Besic is a better option than Davies Brian, but now and again you still get people believing Besic could offer the team something when he has been nowhere near the 1st team in 3 seasons and counting.

For me it shows how, with just a few on extended jollies, we need better options in midfield and attack if the likes of Besic and Bolasie are named and played in today's squad.

Bolasie and Nkounkou looked real good... if both could play like that week-in and week-out, we would have a great left flank.

Besic laughably terrible. Bolasie very eager and strong for a 43-year-old. Nkounkou rough around the edges but very positive and powerful.

Davies – as you'd probably expect from the only player who lasted 90 minutes – pretty much running the show in the second half.

Overall, absolutely fucking embarrassing. Different season, same shit. Thank fuck they're not going to let us back in the stadium til October at the earliest.

Just got to give the players credit for coming back from three goals down against a very committed Blackpool side!

Steve

Didn't Barkley leave because he was being hassled by thugs?

Regardless, the problem we've had isn't that we get rid of good players. The problem is that we get rid of mediocre players and replace them with far more expensive mediocre players or crap players. So keeping them or selling them we are crap or mediocre.

A novel approach might be to replace mediocre players with good players

I missed the three Blackpool goals because the picture feed had frozen!! It then sputtered along to 30 mins and from then on was okay.

Why can't Everton, at least, get this right?

Time to get the cheque-book out and bring Allan and Doucouré in, start with Lössl in goal next friendly.

I would also give Bolasie a start, instead of Iwobi, see if he can bring anything to the game with a couple of run outs.

Dear Sweet Jesus. People on here wanting Barkley back. What the fuck's gone on there this afternoon?

Everton just love to think up more and more embarrassing moments to really quell any positivity for the supporters. Things won't change because the training is sub-standard. What is going on at Finch Farm?

It is no good just training the player, team training is what is required. Another truly horrific performance, slackers the lot of them. The standards at this club are just pathetic.

Full time: 3-3. After a nightmare first 10 minutes, we recovered and got a respectable draw (in the circumstances).

Blackpool are due to start their season proper in a week and clearly they were sharp and we had to find our sharpness as the game went on.

Who's fault was the early nightmare? No-one covered themselves in any glory and the midfield didn't protect the defence at all, with Gylfi anonymous. However, Holgate was asleep for the first and the third was an extremely careless pass from his own 6-yard box to the striker on the edge of the penalty area to slot home. Pickford might have done a bit better, although absolved of blame for all three goals by Griffiths in commentary.

For me, the turnaround came because Tom Davies wouldn't take this lying down and he got stuck in and tried to impose himself on the game. Once we were able to get on the ball, our players' superior quality showed and we were able to cut them apart easily.

Great header from a corner for Calvert-Lewin that got deflected on the way in. Calvert-Lewin won a soft pen and Gylfi scored from the spot. The equaliser was our best goal. Great ball from the young left-back, Niels Nkounkou, to get Walcott on the ball at the edge of the box and as he touched the ball, he was scythed down. "Too close to score" Darren Griffiths said in commentary, but Gylfi showed what he can do, and put it in the top corner.

Changes ruined the rest of the game, which had been entertaining. We were on top and should have won.

Players wise:
Pickford - didn't save anything
Lössl - made a save but distribution poor

Kenny - wasn't really his fault for being 3-0 down but hardly made a statement about playing time
Coleman - hardly touched it
Holgate - had a nightmare but he didn't let it affect him and was playing well by the end of the half
Keane - we looked much more solid with him on the pitch but he was poor in possession
Branthwaite - got better as the game went on but he looked his age
Gibson - looked a lot better than Branthwaite and was calm in possession
Digne - was poor in defence and whilst he got forward, his usual quality was lacking
Nkounkou - looked a bit erratic. Was great one minute and sloppy the next. Showed flashes of class and just needs to settle. He'll be a good player.

Davies - up and down as always, but never surrenders and played some nice passes as the game wore on, was our best player.
Sigurdsson - awol for the first 30, then played a few good passes and scored a couple of decent goals, a really terrific free kick. Still needs to be replaced despite that.
Besic - showed all the Davies critics what a real championship at best player looks like. Davies could pass better wearing a blindfold. The guy is Sunday league.
Gordon - industrious and dropped too deep when we were wobbling to try and help out. Once we got on the ball, he showed some nice touches. Still didn't really showcase his pace or his ability to beat a man.
Walcott - was just Walcott. Did well to get into good positions but couldn't finish his dinner.
Bolasie - not quite vintage Bolasie, but I don't think he's done. He's going to fight to get back into the side. Good luck to him as he seems a decent guy and it'd save us a few quid
Iwobi - anonymous at times but was playing well when we were on top.
John - never really got a chance to show himself but he chased well

Kean - where was he playing? One minute he was right wing and early on as we conceded the goals he was covering right back with Gylfi. Next he was up top as if in a 4-4-2. Looked lost but did show one glimpse of what he can do.
Simms - never got a sniff and looked a little scared when he lost out on winning the ball. Needs to bang the defender out of the way and make it his.
Calvert-Lewin - was isolated but helped get us level by dropping deeper and forcing his way into the game. Won the pen well and took his goal well. Looked a lot sharper than he was a few weeks ago.

Think that's them all!

Niels Nkounkou had a decent debut and, er, that was it.

Tony, with the atitude and laziness for the first 15/20 minutes I wouldn't give them any credit at all.

Sigurdsson looked like the new Schneiderlin, Tom Davies went missing defensively for the first half-hour, Iwobi looked like a monkey on a stick (no racism intended) and Moise Kean looked like he couldn't be arsed because he's on his way.

I thought that was even more disgusting than the FA Cup loss to the RS kids. The players do not have any pride and there is no belief in the shirt.

Total clearout for me.

Make no mistake, if we don't get 2 centre-mids and a right-winger, I genuinely fear for us. That squad is Championship ready and that's where it's going at lightning speed if new players aren't signed and soon!

Davies is a League One footballer. Walcott is Sunday league. Iwobi is shite. Positives - Lewis Gibson and Nkounkou already look better than what we have and Lössl brings a calmer presence than that Turbo Chav, Pickford.

Poor stream yet again but glad I missed the first 20 minutes and the second half I had to annoyingly refresh every 4-5 minutes so it was harder to gauge.

But... what I saw confirms everything I already knew. We lack quality through the spine of the team. There is no commanding leader at the back. We need a top class center-back to help bring through Holgate, Braithwaite, Gibson etc. All are good / look promising but are not always switched on and ready.

Midfield and forwards look very un-coordinated of who should be doing what. Sigurdsson looks peeved, I think he'd be happy to get a move away. Defensively there's a slow reactive engagement to closing down which leaves huge gaps for the opposition to pass through.

But this doesn't change when we have the ball. There's little movement and we slow the play down too much forcing us to pass back. That's 2 midfielders we need, 1 defensive and 1 attacking.

As for forwards, Bolasie gave a glimpse of what we need. He has pace, strength and is direct. We need that plus someone who can deliver consistent good passes, crosses or shots on target. Like Walcott, first touch and final ball is 1 in 4 at best. Just not good enough. The pair of them could be useful squad players but neither is the quality we need.

Calvert-Lewin has bulked up a little which is good to see. Moise Kean still looks lost and doesn't know how to get into the game.

Carlo is persisting with the defensive playout. I'm struggling to see a game plan. Are we a pressing team or a sit deep counter-attack team? Still a lot to do before I'm convinced we are moving forward to win silverware.

If I have learned one thing the last few years about pre-season friendlies, it's that it most certainly IS a good guide to the season ahead.

We have been awful in pre-season the last few years and that's exactly how it translated in the following months.

The midfield would be better suited at the Pleasure Beach.

Brian, I agree on Bolasie. I would prefer to sign a pacy winger and put him further from the first team, but until then, he needs to get a few minutes to see if he can link up with the others.

I follow Sporting (Lisbon) and Bolasie was on loan there last season. They had an absolute nightmare of a season, but still finished 3rd. They had 3 or 4 managers too. Bolasie was doing ok, but then the last change of manager resulted in the new guy getting rid of those who weren't going to be there next season as he wanted to use the end of the season to get the side ready to go.

It's not that Bolasie was poor there, far from it. It's that they couldn't afford his wages and he didn't justify being on more than the rest, including Bruno (Fernandes now of Man Utd). Putting that to one side, he was often one of their most dangerous players.

His pace was back, his tricks were back. He seems to have full movement. He could zig and zag, he did his pirouettes and danced on the ball like he does. So injury-wise, he's recovered.

Pace, yeah, I said it's back, but I hesitate. He's getting older now, he's past 30 and perhaps it is starting to go, but there's enough there for him to beat a man and I think he was always fast over 10 yards rather than 100 anyway.

We saw a glimpse that he can still send a cross in, but as always the quality is just not quite there. For Crystal Palace though, the sheer quantity of crosses into the box per game set him apart. If he can do that for us, and we've missed it, then Calvert-Lewin could make something of them. It doesn't always need to be a great cross for him to score.

Bolasie has been on a real charm offensive on social media and made it very clear he's committed to Everton and wants to play for us. Cynically, you may think, well he's got no other real option of Premier League football.

It's the last year of his contract and I doubt I'd give him a new one even if he does play and get back to his best. But I think we could worse than retain him, particularly if we can't land a top winger.

Steve Ferns, not being funny or nothing nut ate you in any way related to Tom Davies?

Walcott always gives people false hope towards the end of the season with a few good performances. He did this at Arsenal too. I've heard his miss was terrible. I'd rather keep Bolasie instead of Iwobi and Walcott.

Didn't see the game but all the comments reflect what most suspect. This is one of the worst Blue sides since the late '80s, is very low on morale, and will have an extremely difficult season.

As it stands, lower midtable would appear to be a realistic aspiration which, in conjunction with a couple of embarrassing cup exits, is very depressing.

Besic, Bolasie, Kenny. Has Brands been looking for players down the back of the sofa?

Welcome back to live Everton football.

Gilfy still getting hammered, Davies still potential – seems a myopic view of Gilfy's fee is the order of the day. In the 17-18 season, he was played in the ACM roll... guess what – leading goalscorer!!! Season 18-19, to accommodate Rooney, is moved all around...

Gilfy had no influence on his fee, his wage is just £100k/wk. Rooney was on £160k/wk. Rooney scored 10 goals!!!!! By the way he scored 3 at home to Hammers, he also scored 2 or 3 penalties. Scored against The Gunners, Man City away... but it's okay – he is one of our own.

Davies really isn't going to make it at this level, he won't tackle, can't pass, but jogs about – he is always thereabouts but never actually there!!!

After this post, I ain't commenting on Davies as he just is not Premier League level – and anyone saying he had 100 appearances, how many are as a sub? And how many would he get in a top 6 team?

Boring, no energy or life in these players. I fear we go into the Spurs game with no new faces and then we shit ourselves and scramble around on deadline day searching for scraps. The club is laughing stock but won't let the glorified PR tell us otherwise.

Atrocious! The attitude of the players towards this fixture. Pre-season, you cry? Maybe, but it's only weeks since they last played Bournemouth and it appears nothing has changed. Gulp!

Anceloti is equally as culpable as his demeanor is of a man who expects those players to be motivated and ready, not unreasonable. However, my biggest concern is that his lack of energy in preparing the team, is transmitting to the players. However, the players are a disgrace.

It's about setting a tone, it's about who thinks they can grab a starting spot. Those players, well the majority of them seem to know either they are guaranteed a start or their future is elsewhere.

Worryingly we look very very short without a Richarlison, fodder if I'm being honest. It's got a touch of the 1998 side about it if I'm honest. New signings are of course imperative, but especially in terms of energy and optimism it's vital.

I'm getting a very bad feeling about this season.

Poor. No excuses... very poor. These players need to realise they are expected to give everything even in friendlies.

Holgate needs a big kick up his backside and to realise that, even though he had a few good games last season, he is not guaranteed a first-team place as with all of the other players.

Very poor.

The first 15 minutes was a disaster but I feel there's a huge over-reaction to the performance. Blackpool a tad ahead in pre-season and it was a decent, competitive game.

Holgate, Kenny and Branthwaite together a little under-experienced. Keane and Mina to come in. Bolasie was decent when he came on.

A Sigurdsson free-kick was awful and much the same as last season but scored a wonderful goal as the game went on.

We're not going to turn into world beaters overnight. It's the goalkeeper that worries me.

I have this strange feeling (based on almost no evidence) that Bolasie will surprise us all and come good this season. He clearly has something to prove, and that's never a bad thing!

We're consistently shit pre season. Surprised Besic and Bolasie got an outing. Maybe Bolasie has more value to us from the bench than on loan with subsidised wages. Probably not.

Pleased that Simms and John got some minutes. Easier for them to step into a better-oiled machine than the present shambles, however. Tall order to shine in these circumstances.

Pleased also that Nkounkou looks good. If we do sign Allan and Doucouré, then stocking up on his ilk will stand us in good stead.

If we had quality wingers or forwards who want the ball and show for it then the defenders and midfielders jobs become a lot easier.

Watch how quickly the ball is repeatedly lost or played backwards when played to Walcott, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson. Who's going to turn and run at defenders, play the killer pass, look for a 1-2 knowing they will get the ball played back to them where they want it?

I honestly don't know how Carlo sets the team up to play or what style of play we are in and out of possession. We seem to do a little bit of this and that but it's soon lost with little end product.

It was the same under the last few managers. Clearly several top class players to link and lead the way would help. Certain players always get criticism, mostly unfairly. But they would look a lot better playing in a top 6 side than they do playing for us.

It's a team game and as a team, managers and coaches included the repeated failure to get some basic patterns of play and effort is terrible.

As a fan I hope we can quickly identify and resolve the issues, whether it be a new player or simplifying players roles.

This friendly was a good run out for fitness. I'm not to bothered about the score but not being able to pass and keep possession better is embarrassing.

The first 15 minutes (not for the first time) showed us up and what little on-pitch leadership and communication there is. The words rocket and ass should have been repeatedly threatened at least.

The positives I took from it are Calvert-Lewin looked quite sharp, Lössl looked way more assuring than Pickford, and the new left-back looked promising. Bolasie was bright too.

The negatives sadly are Pickford saved nothing, Holgate and Jonjoe Kenny were both poor today (Kenny is not our saviour at right-back), Davies was his usual self, Gylfi deceived and, bar his set-pieces, did nothing, Iwobi is not a winger and neither is Kean and Besic was dire.

Signings will make a huge difference but they need to come quickly.

Thanks to all posters for so much detail to give us all a taste of what it was like.

I missed it but from what you all say it sounds like a very scary continuance of the post-lockdown performances.

Is the new left-back likely to be pushing for a first-team place?

I was intrigued about Bolasie because he has looked sharp in the training clips and would be a good one to have in the squad if he is back to full fitness and the sharpness is there.

I like Tom and it was no surprise to hear that he was the one who dragged us back into the game. Gylfi is not a first-team player and neither is Walcott.

Carlo and Marcel have a lot of work to do on the training ground and with transfers.

There is an argument going around that very few clubs have added to their squads so far. Fair enough, but has any side in the Premier League needed recruitment as much as we do? I doubt it.

This is what frustrates us as fans. We have no signings of note and today the same old same old. The only minor point of interest was whether Bolasie or Besic have transformed into players we can actually use.

We have a couple of friendlies left before we start again. No time for any potential new faces to settle in. Every year it's the same.

I am sure it's not easy to sign any player, let alone the ones you want but my worry is the lack of urgency which is spreading from the performances on the pitch to behind closed doors and even with the new stadium. It's all so mind-numbingly ponderous.

Superb free kick that. Oodles of natural talent and he dicks around most of the game. If Sigurdsson got motivated and fully fit, he could still be major for us. I have half a hope - having said I never wanted to see him play for us again last season.

I was looking at his finish in the Cup against the RS. That was masterly. Why has he betrayed himself and us?

I agree with Steve Ferns about Bolasie.

Nice to see our first team can't beat Blackpool.

Enough said.

Steve #108, welcome back and thanks for the updates.

Interesting that Bolasie might actually be in the picture somewhere. I believe someone else on TW was musing just the other day that it would be nice to see him contribute again, and since you follow Sporting your insight is helpful.

Take the positives and it's the first preseason game, but they looked far sharper than at Wigan at the end of July 2019 but there's plenty of physical and mental alertness improvements needed.

Let's hope that Allan and Doucouré can be secured as the clock is racing away, and we need some energy and fluidity in the whole team, as we can't keep the ball enough to dominate play.

Lössl, for me deserves a chance, and so I think this season he will get his chance, but Carlo, will know what type of game style he wants to play.

For me we need a proper captain, with nark and care on the park, and for the whole team, to play as if they genuinely care.

The attitude will hopefully improve next time we are out.

Hopefully we will have inspiration and belief and a couple of signings.

Can't believe we are considering Bolasie. He is only back because none of Villa, Anderlecht or Sporting wanted him. He was poor before his injury and worse afterwards.

It is more than rebranding we need – nobody could market this load of codswallop.

Ken - I drove past a livery today and there was a sign up saying free manure. Maybe that's how we should market the deadwood.

Didn't watch, but it sounds like Sigurdsson did almost as much in this one match as he did all of last season!

Re: Bolasie, he seems determined to fight for a place, so why not give him a chance? I can picture a world in which he's a decent option off the bench.

Interesting comments on Bolaise.

BTW, Steve (101), I loved this gem --

Besic - showed all the Davies critics what a real Championship at best player looks like. Davies could pass better wearing a blindfold. The guy is Sunday league.

Also Walcott - the guy couldn't finish his dinner. LOL!

If we fail to bring in some quality midfielders, I really worry for this club. It was hard in the fifties getting out of the Second Division, it will be even harder should we be relegated, which I fear could happen.

Rob #132,

Did you get any manure? It's good on rhubarb.

We've long heard the experts say that players, especially the better ones, put more into club training than they do in pre-season friendlies. This is because of the considerable risk of injury in these meaningless games against lower order teams.

Over a lifetime of watching what used to be called 'pre-season practice matches' I'm sure the last time I saw real effort was in the days when all that was allowed outside the season was Everton First X1 v The Rest. They used to kick shit out of each other!

Len #137, I prefer maple syrup but it's a matter of personal taste.

Bolasie? Oh ffs!

Clive,

We are only considering Bolasie because Walcott, Bernard, Iwobi are all shite, Bolasie is too BTW, but we've all forgotten how shite he is, so he gets another chance because shitery (not a real word except at EFC) deserves a second chance, especially at £28 million and £70k a week (at 2017 prices!)

So if we're not going to sign another winger, we may as well see who is the best of our absolute shite wide players.

Here's a list of his previous clubs before Palace:

Hillingdon, Florian's, Plymouth, Rushden & Diamonds, Barnet, Bristol City.

In the last 8 seasons he's scored 23 goals, 3 per season for a forward.

Better get him on a longer contract before Barca step in.

All the Sigurdsson slaggers, let's see... an assist for Calvert-Lewin, a quality free-kick. Okay, a penny for his second. Strangely, I think he had more of a positive impact than anyone else.

I saw a comment that Davies drove us back into the game; really? Although my match feed was hit and miss, Davies didn't drive EFC today!!! What game were people watching?

Blackpool's 3rd, although the ball was coughed up by Holgate, Davies sauntered over to Blackpool's No 8 as he shot, Holgate blocked the shot before the final strike for 3-0.

In all fairness, total shite. Sigurdsson was shit, but the rest of them were at an unbelievable level of shittest player of the match. Come on, guys, let's be realistic in our comments and observations.

Unbelievable to be reading this thread, and to consider that it relates to a big club on the back of four plus years of huge injected investment.

Shocking, really. Half a billion to get to here. We have essentially made less than zero progress, stultified with overpaid failures sucking big money, mixed like oil and water with others lacking experience and development, and in the worst scenario to get it. It's almost like a managed decline.

I don't think we'll survive this season. So much is wrong at this club.

Moshiri is getting robbed, and he's letting people do it! Unbelievable.

I can't believe the negativity on here tonight. We've come roaring back against the mighty Blackpool. Might even have won it if we could shoot straight, and yet all I can see are bitching and whining posters.

The character on display out there today bodes well for our relegation battle this season. Hopefully after we get taken apart by Spurs, we can show similar resolve (like today) and battle to a home point against the Baggies.

Tom Davies was MotM for me without question. One of his touches actually went where he intended it to. The Ancelotti effect is in full flow.

We need to sign someone who can take the crowd with him – not one of these players is loved by the supporters. Until that happens, the displays will remain soulless and devoid of entertainment. Sigurdsson's free-kick was the only highlight.

First free-kick Sigurdsson has ever scored for us?!

Tudor, he's been getting robbed since day one! Svengali next to him must be laughing all the way to the bank to check out his bloated bank account.

Cynicism aside, for the first time in many years, I am fearful of this new season. We can't buy until we sell and we can't sell because the players we want to get rid of are shite!!

Carlo can walk away an even richer man than when he came but we are stuck with this crap and have nowhere else to go.

I didn't see today's game so can't really comment but, whoever the opposition and whatever the occasion, conceding 3 in the first 15 minutes should concern us all. It's not like we haven't played for months – our last competitive game just a little over a few weeks ago – that's similar to having a mid-season international break.

I'll wait to see who we sign before forming a proper opinion about this season but let's get new players in now and not at the arse end of the window. If we sign the likes of Allan and/or Doucouré on deadline day, it'll take them until Xmas to get up to speed.

This season will be tougher than most – reduced (or no) fans at games and three good teams coming up from the Championship. We need to quickly banish the awfulness of last season as soon as possible and, above all else, cannot afford to be complacent.

They aren't fully fit yet. It was only a friendly. We weren't at full strength. But – boy, boy, boy – without reinforcements, this looks like it could end up being a long season.

There's a basic principal here which I'm not sure some of you have got: Moshiri appointed Ancelotti because he strongly believed he'd spent money on good players and he thought that the only problem was the manager, so he thought he only needed a good manager to sort them out... Go figure!

I remember constantly challenging Stan Schofield on here when he reckoned we had a good squad but the problem was the manager. I was the opposite. Stan hasn't posted for ages, I hope he's okay, but I still reckon I'm right,

Following on... we've not had a half-decent squad for 5 years. We've had lots of attacks on various managers but the problem is recruitment... that is, Brands: he's the disaster, he needs sacking.

I didn't have the pleasure of watching today's game, so thanks to everyone that did for their comments – it paints an all-too-familiar picture. We often seem ill-prepared at this stage and drift into yet another ‘nothing-season'...

Let's hope this doesn't become the relegation battle that many of us predict.

Some murmurings in the press that Ancelotti is dismayed by our crap transfer workings. There's a shock.

This really is a concern. Has Carlo ever had to make a team out of players of this calibre? Is it akin to expecting Lewis Hamilton to win a Grand Prix driving a clapped out Fiat?

Carlo was apparently assured that he would have money to spend; if this was untrue, then he will no doubt walk. If true, then Brands needs to get moving before more of our targets are snapped up by other clubs.

I get the sense that most on here are reaching a point where our situation is starting to look precarious to say the least. The club needs to take decisive action with incomings and outgoings before supporters start dropping by the wayside.

Anthony @150,

I share your concern. We knew a few weeks ago that we needed several new players in well before the new season kicks off in order to stand a chance of a step up from the dreadful restart games. Today, we were treated to a reminder of what will happen next season without quality upgrades.

Problem is that the transfer window doesn't close until early October – with much of the business being concluded late as clubs, agents and players prevaricate in the hope of attracting interest from better clubs.

It'll take Brands most of the window to ship out the unwanted – the majority of these will be free transfers and/or loans with Everton picking up a percentage of the players' salaries. If – as has been suggested by other posters – we need to shift before we can sign, don't be surprised if the deals happen late.

Like others, I wonder if Carlo is wondering if it's worth the effort – but hope he does.

Oh Jesus... we are screwed if Bolasie is being talked up like the second coming of Christ!

He never stood out for us, let alone pre-injury. Has the ambition of this club and us fans fallen so far? The squad we have today is plainly not good enough and we desperately need a new midfield.

I used to get so annoyed at Bolasie, who had all the pace and the potential in the world, continually not take his man on, one on one, and bottle every tackle. We need rid of him and about another half a dozen.

I mostly agree, Andy - of course it's both the right manager and the right players. I'm not going to jump the gun on Ancelotti, who obviously has what it takes with the right players, when they are motivated and committed.

Some of these players are awful, and nearly all have suffered what's becoming a worrying trend in recent times: players turning to shit when they join Everton, and affecting some already here.

I've said it enough times that I bore myself now – there is something deeply wrong in the DNA here. Carlo has a job on his hands.

I hope that's just rumour, Tony.

You're right about Brands, Andy #153. I wouldn't let him sign another player, his signings have been mostly expensive disasters.

Brands is way out of his depth at Everton and has absolutely no understanding of what the supporters expect.

Get rid of him immediately and let Ancelotti appoint his own man to conduct transfers, before he considers walking away from our shambolic club.

Was Sigurdsson signed by Brands or Walsh?

Joe, it was Koeman who wanted Sigurdsson.

Walsh.

Andy #153,

There has been a tendency to play players just because a lot of money was spent in transferring them in and the contracts they were on. This was very noticeable during the Big Sam and Silva eras. No-one seems to want to tell Moshiri that crap was brought in. I hope it is not going to happen in the Ancelotti era. It is not inconceivable what you say is true.

You also would have thought that scouting of potential transfer targets would have been an ongoing process throughout the year. But here we are again, biding for players well over 26, agreeing favourable personal terms and getting into biding wars again in the last two weeks of August. It is likely that Everton will fall short of getting what they require.

It would have been better to have in players earlier, before pre-season started, so they get settled into the squad and get time to adapt to the team play and coaching. When you take Napoli out of the Clubs we are dealing with, the range is not wide.

I do believe that Everton need a Director of Football. But I do have a problem with Brands as a Director of Football, with a seat on the Board, in that his accountability is vague. Even a manager of Ancelotti's standing must be wondering about this.

I also don't like that it is being reported that a role for Baines is being created, according to Denise Barrett-Baxendale, with details being finalised by Brands. I doubt Ancelotti would have or want any input into this.

Also it was reported that the Head of Therapy, Ian Donahie (remember, he was sacked by Martinez) reportedly said it was great so many players were back fit and fresh at Finch Farm this week. On the performance today and the players available, this does not appear to be the case. Some have posted that Blackpool are well into their pre-season, why are Everton not?

I just don't like questions arising like this in pre-season.

Thanks Clive.

The press reports are saying Ancelotti is disappointed to lose Højbjerg and Gabriel, his two priorities, and is blaming the hierarchy.

I can see him walking away from this shambles.

Joe @162,

Sigurdsson was signed when Walsh was around in 2017.

Brands joined at the end of the 2017-18 season in May 2018.

Jerome, I don't like keep looking at Liverpool, but something has been right since Klopp arrived, from the academy players to bang-on recruitment. Not paying crazy fees and getting top dollar from player sales. Why can the Everton set-up not learn? So frustrating.

Koeman said that Sigurdsson would be the player that would make the difference to get us into the Champions League. I'll be generous and say that would have been from the time when he trusted the 'recruitment team' to get him the strong centre-midfielder and 'pivot' striker he wanted.

Interesting that, since then, we have failed to get that strong centre midfielder and striker.

Joe, the people who bought Liverpool had form in buying a sporting team and making it work successfully. They recruited well and overhauled their business, identified a manager and ruthlessly sacked Rogers to get him.

Spot the difference when we were 'taken over'. The same people pretending to be ambitious.

Joe #169,

It's not just Liverpool, both Leipzig and Sevilla are able to buy good players under 22, in the same market that Everton is pissing about in, for top prices of £22million and players over that age for £17million.

Sevilla in the Summer of 2019-20 season pretty well replaced their first team. These teams can account for themselves well in European competitions.

Sigurdsson was never the real problem – at least he can knock goals in. Look at the players he's had around him! Iwobi, Bernard, Delph, Gomes, plus the unfortunate Gbamin – all signed by Brands and none of whom score more than a couple of goals a season.

An unfathomable waste of money when the team and supporters have been crying out for goals, goals, goals from the midfield for a decade, to provide entertainment and make us more successful.

Instead, we've never progressed from the zombie football stage.

Jerome

Funny thing is, like Sevilla this year, Koeman had to do a complete rebuild at Southampton as virtually the whole team left. It worked out for them.

It does make me wonder about our extravagant spending. Does all this money go where it should or does some come back to individuals via brown paper bags at motorway stops?

Paul and Jerome, shit ain't it, as just look at us.

Paul, I think you're right. I think we are pretending to be ambitious. The aim is:

(a) To spend circa £50M net every so often, recouped on the occasional big sale;
(b) Stay vaguely competitive in the top flight; and
(c) Build a stadium and dock redevelopment with Usmanov steel.

I don't think there's more to it. The top / big 6 will always outspend us so will generally have better players. We're not trying to compete. Brands and Ancelotti have a different objective to the fans.

Breaking the top 6 and getting a run in the Europa League now and again is the absolute peak of the club's ambitions. Possibly until Brands can piece together a side of greater quality from academy players and additions like Branthwaite and Nkounkou...

Joe 162, Walsh and Koeman.

All the clubs mentioned as a comparison are false. Each of those clubs has a great reputation for success and or enhancing a player's career.

Everton are known for nothing currently. There's no reason for a player on the up to come to the club. We l have little to no expertise in recruitment or overhauling a business. We are in big trouble, no mistake.

As if we didn't have enough shite players, they then went on and bought Iwobi in the last minute of the previous window!!!! What the hell, man!!!??

Robert, the pretence is in the club itself. We get bought out, yet the same people are in charge:

Kenwright, who clearly thinks we're a brilliantly-run club that needs more money;

Barret-Baxendal, who has done fabulous work for EitC, while appearing unable or unwilling to drive the club and business to genuine ambition and success; and

Moshiri, who appears to have been taken in by the misty-eyed nonsense the other two spout.

They are all making the mistake of thinking that lashing out on a 'big name' manager will solve everything. It won't.

Chelsea and Man City had/have money. They have competence & ruthlessness running through the club like the words on a stick of rock. Leeds didn't... We don't... and ultimately, in my view, we don't want it enough to make the changes we need.

If we're not prepared to change the club and its mindset, we'd have been better off bringing in someone like Dyche, who at least gets the best out of a group of half-decent players and might just do more with 'better' players.

I can see Carlo getting worn down by them, like the others.

Andrew (158) – I don't think I've seen anyone talk up Bolasie as the "second coming of Christ," just a few folks suggesting we might as well roll with the punches and give him a genuine look this preseason.

Look, it may quickly become apparent that he's not good enough and that will be that, but I'm not sure how people can complain that he's stealing a wage, then get pissed off when he's given an opportunity to prove himself.

Honestly. We're just not very good. We've squandered huge amounts of money on average players and managers. We will likely be 8th-13th again this season.

I think the stuff about Ancelloti being angry about transfers is pure tabloid tripe. He knew what he was coming into and the window still has ages to run. We will undoubtedly buy new players and there's not much we can do about the likes of Højbjerg and Gabriel preferring London clubs over us.

It is what it is. Nil Satis is miles away.

Kieran #174,

This Summer transfer window could end up the same as last, minus the Zaha saga. I'm beginning to think the teams Everton are dealing with do not need backhanders, because Everton are a soft touch anyway. The problem I have now is, if the DOF cannot deliver what the manager requires, is he actually doing his job?

Robert #176 and Paul #180,

I think there is an element of truth in that, but I also think that Kenwright & Co thought that money was the missing ingredient, oblivious to the fact that they had not the required ability in the first place.

With Moshiri's hands-off style, the running of the club is being left to others, with a fair amount of input by Kenwright & Co. It may be that the only objective left after that is to develop the stadium and see his shares, which Moshiri bought at a discount, increase in value, and letting his mate have a slice of that.

I don't think that Everton is serious about competing in any competition they enter. The objective is still to maintain Premier League status, as it has been for over 20 years. If they get into Europe, it will be viewed as a bonus, without any preparation for a successful run in such competitions.

I don't think Ancelotti will walk; he will probably come to the conclusion of: Why worry? He will fade into retirement on his contract, which will be probably be openly extended.

They have no appearance of being overly bothered and Ancelotti will take the hint, lulling into the easy life.

I'm glad Bolasie had a good game. He's not the answer but, with funds limited, if we can get something out of his last year, then awesome.

I think in Brands and Ancelotti we have a world class structure. However, I can't fathom our strategy. Surely we should be buying young and developing: Richarlison, Keane, Holgate, Calvert-Lewin are great examples.

Now we seem to be pivoting to players who are better, but have no development or resale value. £55M on Allan and Doucouré, whilst improving us, is essentially more ‘dead' money.

Several posters have alluded to the decades-long miasma that has gradually reduced us to mid-table, at best. A few are perceptive enough to name the one individual as chiefly or entirely responsible throughout that time.

Given the ongoing presence of our chairman at or near the top, I just wonder if any TWers can identify three clubs more likely to be relegated next season than us, the promoted clubs aside?

Yes, today was only a pre-season friendly against, as one chap says above, in terms, "a battle-hardened" League One team about to professionally begin its own campaign, but to be 3-0 down early in the first half is deplorable. To have drawn the match is deplorable.

The silence from Moshiri and the boardroom on transfers (Question: Who's in charge, Moshiri or the boardroom?) is laughable.

We've had many many years of Kenwright avoiding scrutiny at his whim (abandoned AGMs – remember?) for his dubious conduct whilst he allowed Green, Earl and Leahy to almost certainly fuck our club over to their personal financial advantage (Kenwright endorsing the disgraced Green as "The Mozart of Money" in the process).

Is Moshiri just another Kenwright, seeking to get rich and fuck the consequences for the fans, or is he abysmally thick in that he still cannot identify the cancer that pervades our club?

The problem in this transfer window is we are expecting quality players to be signed for the midfield and defense. As been shown recently, players in our price range prefer other clubs, if offered.

Why? We are a 12th-place finisher in the Premier League, we are in no European competitions, and have changed managers over the last couple of seasons, and that shows instability.

The only thing that this club can offer is a first-class training facility and a world renowned manager. Players know that they may only have a short time in the game and so they want medals and trophies and will go to the clubs that offer that chance.

We, as supporters, when a player says he doesn't want to come, have the attitude of, "If he doesn't want to come, we don't want him" instead of asking: Why doesn't he want to come? This transfer window is going to be very difficult and I will not be surprised if we only get 2 or 3 players in, I would be happier if we got 4 or 5 out.

The end of last season was a real wake-up call of how poor we had become both mentally, tactically and fitness-wise. These problems should be able to be coached as bringing in a couple of new players still leaves 8 or 9 from the previous season.

We are going to rely on Brands and Ancelotti, for this season, if they are capable, as we need stability in the team; we can't expect to be in the top 4 but we have to be at least in the top 8

Reputations have to be earned, not written about; it's time to earn them, we don't want to hear (Con Te Partiro) or Time to Say Goodbye.

Nothing new here. Same crap players as last season.

I know I'm in the minority, but I would replace Holgate. We obviously need the likes of Doucouré, Allan, a centre-half, and a goalscorer at least.

The players now touted as "attractive" are players that – if all is for once to be right at Finch Farm (which hasn't been the case for seasons) – wouldn't begin to interest the top six.

Signing several of them may, in favourable circumstances beyond our control (namely other clubs unexpectedly achieving our sort of mediocrity), result in 6th or 7th a best – unless Moshiri takes a figurative machine gun to those he's hitherto blindly trusted.

Does he have the courage, insight and ambition though?

I'm bored of the season already and it hasn't started yet!

Why does it take this club weeks to buy a player? I'm convinced the club are praying bigger clubs come in for them.

The difference now is we have a world class manager who wants to win. Our board have never had that before.

Pay a Jo average manager a big salary and tell him to shut up when transfers never happen. Carlo will tell it the way it is. He will soon realise and lose patience and move on. It's the Everton Way!

Don

As of now, there's no team I can see that's clearly worse than us. Hopefully we will discover at least three.

On signings, a bunch of fans were lauding Kenwright for recruiting Baines (completely unproven as anything but a player) into an unspecified backroom roll.

On the rumours, I've been hearing things like “Doucouré isn't as inconsistent as Sigurdsson, Allan is not as old as Barry” as positives. I remember when we could say “Dave Watson is even better than Mountfield, Kanchelskis is even better than Limpar.” Now, the bar is “not as bad as” which pretty much summarizes Kenwright's tenure.

With severe doubts about our ability to finish in the top half, I wonder if it would be worth selling Richarlison? We only have one more year before he decides to leave.It would squarely leave Brands with the funds and give Ancelotti options.

Selling him would be at the club's behest, getting maximum value from a player we bought. That would be a start and actually show some leadership, rather than waiting to be put out of our misery when we wants to leave and we get screwed for it. It would demonstrate a plan and signal a proper rebuild.

People keep on saying we have limited funds. I don't believe that this is true. It makes absolutely no sense for Moshiri to reign in the investment given that he is committed to developing Bramley-Moore Dock stadium and it would hardly increase the value of his investment if that stadium was the best in the championship.

The appalling transfer policy over the last few years has left us with very little wriggle room as far as FFP is concerned.

I have been saying ages that, if you look at the nature of Moshiri's buy-in, it seems naive. To leave the man who was responsible for the club's demise in charge is barely believable.

Walsh and Brands did not become bad operators overnight. You just have to look at their respective successes at their previous clubs; their employment by Moshiri was perfectly logical – the change in the type of player they apparently sought to bring in was not.

The other thing that has puzzled me is the constant rumours that Usmanov is going to come in as a full partner, instead of dancing around the periphery. Why would he be so reticent?

The answer to all these conundrums is Buffalo Bill. His desire to retain even a modicum of control is strangling this club and his selfishness is beyond belief given that he professes his undying love for all this blue.

The make-up of the current board suits him down to the ground since there is never a majority to take him on.

John #191, Everton don't sell players, they wait until the player hands in a transfer request at the eleventh hour of the closing transfer window.

Sadly, Eric, that seems to be the way. ☹️

John P #191, get some sleep, pal. You're talking out your ear.

Selling your best player while having"severe doubts about our ability to finish in the top half"... with no assurances on being able to use the money to bring in equal talent in this abbreviated window... is a ticket to a relegation battle.

John #191, if we sold Richarlison, one of our best players (the best?), wouldn't the fee allow us to buy only one player of equal worth (so why sell?), or two players of half his worth (and we already have enough players of that calibre).

And if the answer is that we should be able find good talent at cheap prices, then why not keep Richarlison and just shell out for a couple of those cheap but good signings, once identified?

To all the people that know;

Surgically removing Kenwright from our club would probably be waaay harder than trying to separate conjoined twins.

How long, I mean... how long will it take??? I don't mean to remove him – I mean before the whole fanbase susses this malingering control freak out?
FFS.

It is clear that the current squad we have is not good enough; we need to bring in 4-5 quality players with a winning mentality very soon to avoid a relegation battle from the first game against Spurs.

I, like all other ToffeeWeb readers, am fed up of Everton being slow at bringing players in until the last week of transfer window... when we sign crap!!!

Just go and get the players Marcel and Carlo need and have them injected into the side... then hopefully a strong season is required as coming 12th is not acceptable for a club of our stature.

Saves on loyalty payments, John, #194.

Having managed to get a stream eventually, I watched a good portion of the 'match'. Unfortunately, we were 3-0 down when I tuned in.

People rave about Davies being MotM – sorry but I didn't see any evidence of that yesterday, or maybe I missed that in the first 20 minutes.

There were encouraging signs for me though: Nkounkou, Lewis Gibson, even Lössl brought a bit of security between the posts, although his distribution is a bit suspect. Considering he was out of position, I thought Gylfi proved he can still offer something.

Overall, it was patently obvious that we do need several players to come in, but we do need to ship a few out too (not easy, and after yesterday, increasingly difficult).

It would have been good to see a new signing or two in yesterday's outing, but the transfer merry-go-round has not been very active for other clubs so I'm not unduly worried yet!

With Højbjerg and Gabriel, we have identified good players but we have been used by their agents to great effect.

We have set the high wage and assured a good fee, then they have gone to a club that can offer European football.

It is reality: we have to build from a difficult and weak starting point as an also-ran mid-table club. It leaves us with a much more difficult task of getting the right players in at fair prices.

Allan, who is 30 in a few months, Napoli want £30M for. We need a real central midfielder like him. Carlo wants him, but would any of the top six clubs be paying £30M plus £20M wages for a 30-year-old central midfielder?

Okay, we need to get a player Carlo wants so we have to appreciate that and pay the money. One senior player in may provide stability and a foundation Carlo can build from.

But, apart from that, we need to be looking at younger up-and-coming players who are not oven-ready for the Champions League clubs. Ones that may flourish at Everton, have their careers in front of them, and have fitness, energy and hunger in abundance.

Sam or Robert on here could give you a dozen players who can fulfill that brief. Surely we are a better destination than Southampton for Salisu, or Burnley for Santamaria? There's other players we could assess and tempt: Sarr, Sangare, Buendia, Brooks, Aarons, the aforementioned Santamaria – to name a few.

These players may cost a lot of money but it is not money wasted. These players are investments, they are assets. They can grow and improve with the club, and this gives us the only chance of creating a new forward-thinking Everton and an identity we can embrace.

I am begging the club to follow this path, get Allan in for Carlo. Then, get two or three younger hungrier players in, burgeoning with obvious potential, to give the club its energy and mojo back.

A worrying performance but perhaps more informative than beating some Austrian pub team 22-0.

Is Carlo trying to emphasize our shortcomings to the board?

There is an eerie silence from Everton when it comes to possible transfers in. We must not go in to this season without cutting down our weak areas and building them with new signings.

Perhaps it's a good thing that we're not hearing any comments and this might help us get new signings over the line. But it is damned frustrating!

It's the same team as last year, what do people expect?

Holgate came out with the usual "must do better" this season. Well, as we have seen, nothing has changed. We are crap.

No amount of mouthing-off; off the field means zilch. I wish these players would grow a pair and start shouting on the field. Show some passion.

Paul #180,

"And Moshiri, who appears to have been taken in by the misty-eyed nonsense the other two spout. "

Unfortunately if you included Brands in that sentence, it would not be out of place.

After Moshiri became majority shareholder, spending £100s of millions on utter dross, we now have a squad that's capable of taking us into the Championship within the next 2 years.

Only at Everton could this be possible – the disastrous transfer dealings of the past 4 or 5 years will finally bite us on the arse.

I've never met John P, but he knows Everton, he knows how they have operated for way too long now, and he knows we need reinforcements. Maybe things are in the pipeline but we all need a boost, and hopefully sooner rather than later.

To be caught so cold is very worrying and shows both a complete lack of professionalism and a total lack of belief in what they are supposed to be doing.

I only saw the goals, the third one Pickford takes an age giving it to Holgate, who is actually receiving the ball on the half-turn?

Who do you blame, the keeper for taking too long, the centre-half for taking to long, or the tactics?

I know it's pre-season, but the players should be in great shape the way the last few months have panned out, and if a team is three-down within 15 minutes, the obvious shout would be – “Let's play in there fucking half” until we get the players who can do it.

This manager must be losing confidence in the club's ability to secure the signatures of the players he wants. There's bound to be a clause in his contract that he can walk away if the club do not make good their promises to him.

Have no fear, Brands will deliver new players. But, just as we are used to, they will be last-minute and what is left when more successful clubs have had their pick.

Just like 'Carlo's Army' (family), they will be here for the money and hard to get rid of – just another step towards the Championship and ruination.

I have little doubt that we shall see 're-Brandsing' in the not too distant future!

Mark my words, Ancelotti will walk if this sorry state of affairs continues. At 61, he probably has enough left in the tank for one last Big Job and he won't want to tarnish further his reputation by managing a dysfunctional club like Everton, run by a bunch of incompetent luvvie duvvies!

Moshiri, Kenwright, Brands and Lady Wotsherface couldn't run a local branch of the Women's Institute – never mind a top-flight football club. I am worried, very worried, about our future – and so should you be.

I think people feel the same way, Colin, because, as it stands right now, it's very worrying.

Look at the players: you never see real anger, a shrug of the shoulders as they turn away from each other in mock disappointment, and nobody taking any real responsibility (except maybe a struggling Tom Davies).

It's not their fault, and that will do for them. A collective shambles hiding behind a belief that it's not their fault. Everton are absolutely desperate for a couple of players with personality; otherwise, the unthinkable might just arise.

Bob #203,

That eerie silence was broken somewhat by the update from the CEO this week – this update, whilst sharing some positive stuff, also left me a little concerned. CEOs providing carefully crafted updates out the blue – trying to rally troops and keep spirits high – seen it all before in real life.

It'll be interesting to see Chong's stadium update that's been promised.

It's going to be difficult to reach the magical 40 points this season. And hard to imagine three sides with less stomach for a fight than us.

On the evidence of last season, especially since the restart, I for one will be delighted with 17th or higher. And maybe 5th round in the FA Cup. Dreamer that I am.

Jerome #205, that's a very fair point. I should have put Brands in there somewhere.

I'm hoping that the reported 'conflict' between Moshiri and Brands is showing a hint of unhappiness from the owner.

I'm also wondering whether Brands will be seen as a separate branch of incompetence, to be sacrificed to protect the deeper-rooted problems.

Easier to get rid of an 'outsider', who 'doesn't get us', isn't it?

Tony, after watching ‘Sunderland till I die' on Netflix, I can see how hard it is sometimes to buy players with agents, family and hangers-on all wanting a slice of the pie but, how some high earning players (in their case Gibson, O'Shea etc) could make it nigh impossible for them to buy and sell, thus dragging the team down.

Sunderland, IMO, is a terrifying example of how a club can implode through bad management. From being a mid-table also-ran Premier League club (like us) to now being in the 3rd tier with no hope of getting out anytime soon.

If Ancelotti was promised funds which have now disappeared (the Everton Way?), he will ask for his money and walk. He doesn't need this amateurish shit – and, quite frankly, neither do I.

It sounds like something might be bubbling under behind the scenes. Is Ancelotti regretting his decision or is he playing games to kick Moshiri and Brands into action?

Many of us had concerns about 'Agent Johnson'. We need not have worried – agents Kenwright, Moshiri and Brands are proving the real threats with the "death by a thousand cuts" stragegy; I fear the patient is getting close to being irrecoverable.

Colin & Tony - I fear your analysis may be sadly spot on.

Our problem seems to be that, when the ownership of the club changed, the chairmanship didn't.

If Bill Kenwright is still sticking his oar into the transfer negotiations, then it is little wonder they are in chaos.

Moshri needs to tell him to keep out of it and leave it to the professionals.

Hugh,

I see few 'professionals' left – a clearout is needed from top to bottom

With social distances in place and nobody inside the stadium, it's pretty hard to voice any anger Colin, and I can see many more people feeling like yourself, possibly thinking they don't really need Everton in their life so much anymore.

I think Brands came into a very divided club, I'd love to know what his net spend is, but the bad recruitment started last year and we still haven't recovered from it.

It's obvious Delph is going the minute Allan comes through the door, but we are still stuck with a lot of deadwood, and it's really crippling us.

I'm sure the club would love to be able to take a deep breath and pause, but football doesn't stop for nobody, and once average players get these massive contracts, they take some shifting.

Money down the drain is one thing, but our drain is blocked, and it's clogging us up. We spent at will and now suffer the consequences. We all love money but it's not always the answer, especially when you have got loads of players getting but not earning their absolute fortune without a care in the world – or so it seems.

Come on, everybody, cheer up — at least this season there seems to be consensus and an absence of blind optimism.

We look crap and potential relegation fodder. We lack people with grit and fight to take the game by the scruff of the neck and sort it.

All most of them take is the piss.

I see Gabriel has now officially signed for Arsenal.

One wonders, considering how we were so heavily linked with him pre Covid-19, if Ancelotti had been informed of this target, and how we have made moves to sign him, as a statement of intent, showing Ancelotti that we will invest and improve.

Now that ship has sailed, and we appear to have missed out on a real coup.

Let's just admit that we are midtable. The 80s are long gone. We are a mid-table team, a small club in a city with a global powerhouse as neighbors.

In the eyes of the wider world, we like Espanyol.

Tony, the bad recruitment started two years before with Walsh. We are still stuck with several of his players.

Bolasie and Besic made brief appearances yesterday to put them in the shop window. They are not being considered for the team.

Sandro must be one of the worst signings of all time and we could be stuck with him and others for a few more years.

I see some of the tabloids this morning are suggesting that Ancelotti is getting frustrated with the club for not moving quickly enough in the transfer market.

The first 15 minutes of the game yesterday were a complete shambles, even the consistent Holgate was all over the place. Maybe that first 15 minute was a Godsend for Carlo, as it highlighted to everyone including Moshiri, Kenwright and Brands that, unless you get the players he wants quickly, next season could see more of this.

He played everyone who was eligible as if to say "This is all I have got to work with." We have known that this group failed under Koeman and failed under Silva – how much longer will it take for the penny to drop? This squad is bottom-half-of-the-league quality.

Sigurdsson was anonymous for most of the game but, having said that, he took the corner which Calvert-Lewin scored from, then took the penalty, and finally a very well-taken free-kick to level the scores.

Without Richarlison, we looked absolutely toothless up front. I see some tabloids reporting it would take an offer of more than £140 million to prise him away from Everton. With the options at present available to Carlo, let's hope nobody puts a bid in.

Yes I know it's the first game in pre-season, but all of the old faults in these individuals are still there. Moshiri – you need to get Ancelotti's targets in quickly; otherwise, you will be looking for your 6th manager in 5 years.

The club is a complete shambles and has been going downhill for over 20 years. I really fear for us in the next couple of seasons.

I can see Ancelotti walking away, there are rumours he is not happy already with his two top priorities signing for other clubs. If that happens, we will be shopping in the Second Division for managers as we are for players.

We're not relegation fodder. Even if we sign no-one, we would finish about 10th. With 3 good signings, we can rise to the dizzy heights of 7th or 6th at a push.

Disappointed to miss out on Gabriel as he looked a good fit but there are other options.

I know we also missed out on Højbjerg but is anyone on here really that fussed? Spurs don't look stronger with him, put it that way. I'd rather have Ndombele.

I fear, if Ancelotti walks away, Ferguson could get the job permanently and become the man that takes Everton down.

Imagine the opening match in the shiny new stadium being against Rotherham or Millwall...

True Clive, right back until Niasse came into our club. (Although I meant after finishing the previous season so well, last summer's recruitment was a disaster.)

What's the answer? I'd love someone to come out and tell us something, especially if it was an acknowledgment of how badly they got it wrong, and they have now started to slowly revolutionise the whole club, whilst we continue to be so badly hampered by past mistakes.

We need a boost and we need players with spirit and personality, even if that player is 35, it's imperative because some soft feathers need to be ruffled.

Tony #221, here's an idea. If no-one at the club has the time to pause, how about Moshiri brings someone in from outside to audit the club from top to bottom? An outsider's view of what or who is or isn't working. They could also take a look at other clubs who combine their wealth with good governance, recruitment and decision-making at all levels.

I got an email from Denise Barrett-Baxendale last week. Lots of nice stuff praising the fans and the club's community work. Nothing about acknowledging the disappointment of dreadful recruitment, results and performances. Nothing about what's going to be done to put that right this season.

That email from the top sums up everything that is wrong with EFC at the moment. The indifference to performance runs through the club and business like the words through a stick of rock.

Tony – I agree but no feathers will be ruffled – when was the last time anyone inside the club came out and really and truly addressed the decline and dross of the last 30 years – which has accelerated in the last 8? Not one has come out and said that the situation is unacceptable and something is going to be done – it is the same saccharine-coated nonsense each time before a further erosion of the club's standing and then the same process endlessly repeated.

Just look at the recent Barrett-Baxendale outpouring – these guys are running the club into oblivion. It is an absolute disgrace that they offer the same self-congratulatory missives, offering all the non-boat-rocking cronies jobs inside the club and then spending money on what are little more than Championship level players.

The present football standing of Everton is now so low – we are irrelevant to all except ourselves who hold the club so dear.

From the outset, I doubted a ‘big summer' of transfer activity was in prospect. Further investment in the squad will obviously be constrained by the extent to which we can offload players. It was always likely we would struggle to offload the expensive surpluses.

It is hard to imagine clubs queuing up to sign Bolasie, Besic, Delph or any of the other inadequates who make up our numbers. Yesterday's outing at Blackpool will have done nothing to ignite any interest.

Unless or until there are significant departures, two or three signings are the most we can expect with central midfield the obvious, overriding priority. Even that modest objective is beset with difficulty. As we have already seen with Højbjerg, if a player has the option of going to a bigger club, that is where he will go.

Where do we go from here? Strengthening in midfield is an imperative. Beyond that, the message Moshiri needs to deliver to Carlo and the players is that it is time they pulled their collective finger out and performed like a team instead of a bunch of uninterested, distrait individuals.

Paul #214,

I also was hoping that there was tension between Moshiri and Brands over interference. I do think that Brands has initiated changes at youth level, which would be in line with your fair point on youth development. I do think Brands is on shallow ground, though he is on the Board and is working with Kenwright and Barrett-Baxendale, buying into their 'misty-eyed nuisance', eg, Baines.

Brands's future is determined by how Ancelotti's expert opinion is expressed and how much heat it generates for the hierarchy.

I don't like Ian Donachie (Bill's mate), Head of Therapy, being confident enough to express a positive opinion on player fitness and readiness. Head of Therapy is a key role at Everton. Previousl, y Donachie, a physiotherapist, was sacked by Roberta Matinez (B Sc Physiotherapy), and replaced by his understudy over soft-tissue injury recovery.

The understudy was gone before Xmas the following season and a Medical Consultant was brought in as Director of Medical Services, a part-time role and, after that, Donachie arrived back as Head of Therapy on the same salary as before.

I refer to Darren Burgess, High Performance Manager, who laid foundations of the changes in performance levels at both Liverpool and Arsenal in this last five years:

''The players often ran the place. In a lot of clubs, masseurs and physios in particular, as they spend a lot of time with players and provide them some relief, can develop really strong relationships. That can make it a little bit harder for people — doctors, physios and other therapists — to have the really difficult conversations.

"I think there was a reluctance of some of the people involved to use hard training as protection, and so instead they'd do more rest and recovery. Because that was the easy option.

"It's easier to sell to players, in particular. Essentially there's been a fair bit of research that shows that if you can build up players' resilience to hard training, that the impact of a game becomes less and less because your body is accustomed to it.

"Hard work is the best form of injury prevention and injury protection. You should be slowly but deliberately building up people's training tolerance because then, in December and January, when the games come thick and fast, the players are used to it. ”

Going by Burgess's thinking, in my opinion, this is a long-running problem at Finch Farm, with Donachie being the main protagonist. It explains poor fitness, low energy performances, apathy, and recurring and poor injury recovery rates at Everton.

Ancelotti brought in changes by putting in Head of Physical Conditioning, Francesco Mauri, at the same level as Director of Medical Services, in the Medical Services structure and other staff at other levels.

This change explains Seamus Coleman's quotes of changes in training intensity levels, which shows that Burgess and Ancelotti are of the same thinking. But this only applies to players who are available for training, where Donachie has his input. If Burgess was in charge of performance levels, Donachie and his crew would be gone.

That's why I am concerned about Donachie's comments on squad fitness and readiness, which is the opposite opinion to posters on ToffeeWeb on fitness and player availability, that watched the game, Donachie appears not bothered by too much pressure.

You know more than me Paul T, but then again I deleted the e-mail before I read it!

There is talk of Villa wanting the Celtic forward, I know you want us to sign him. I would like him myself after hearing a Celtic scout tell me he would be perfect for the blues, and Schneiderlin has just come out and said why he signed for Everton, with it being nothing to do with our club.

I think you make a great point, why not bring in someone from the outside? Frustration is bubbling away under the surface, with plucky little Everton, now being replaced with shitty fucking Everton, let's hope Brands gets a few players in during the next week.

How to run a football club badly – please contact Everton FC, they will be very happy to help.

Seriously, I cannot think of a worse time to be an Evertonian. We are now a dreadfully boring mid-table team without any hope of winning a clod. We can no longer attract high-calibre players and we don't seem to be able to build a team in the way that Seville or Leipzig can.

We have appointed one of the most successful and well-respected managers in world football on big wages to oversee a bunch of overpaid no-hopers. There are 20 days until the start of a new campaign and we haven't signed anyone. I can see Carlo leaving before Christmas.

Our owners really don't have a clue.

Danny Donachie was known as Head of Medical Services prior to being replaced, during Martinez tenure.

Yes, Tony, I'd buy Edouard in a flash. He'd be perfect for us. Strong, fast, goes past players, scores goals. He would also solve next summer's problem of Richarlison wanting a move to an ambitious club.

Anytime soon, the Media will be used by Kenwright to market our best asset, Richarlison. He will be sold before the season starts and Carlo will be given a fraction of the money to spend.

Fast forward to the end of the season. It will be dismal and Carlo will have gone. This is the Everton Way. Kenwright has defeated me.

Paul 237, Signing Edouard now.

That would resemble a proper transfer strategy and make sure the club had covered its bases both financially and on the playing side.

Who knows Richarlison may want to stay on if we are making giant strides and in Europe.

Along with a lot of you I am afraid that if we have a bad start it could be the dreaded R word. There has been nothing since the restart that brings any hope, except perhaps the introduction of Gordon and Branthwaite, that things are going to improve dramatically then a relegation battle is a huge possibility. From success to failure in 360 monthly instalments a once mighty club to hopeless dross highlights the total mismanagement of this club since the John Moores/Philip Carter eras.
No club is too good to go down and no clubs history get's you a few more points, this is the here and now and an Oxford United moment is the only thing we can hope for.

I still think it's amazing that Bill Kenwright has the ability to hoodwink supposedly intelligent people above and below him, to convince them he has our best interests at heart, and we are on the cusp of greatness — as soon as the Arteta money is found. It's all ring-fenced.

God, I really can't stand that man. Just go.

After the Bournemouth debacle, they follow up with this??? Three goals against in the first 11 minutes – and Blackpool of all teams. What is wrong with this club?

All they can muster is set pieces, a penalty, a free kick and a header from a corner in reply.

We can make all the excuses in the World but they don't wash anymore. The writing is on the wall for another awful season.

When we sell Richarlison, would it be too much to ask someone from across the park to hold our hands during negotiations to show how it should be done?

Paul (237),

I watched the second half of Dundee Utd vs Celtic last night and had a good look at Eduardo. If you watched the game, Paul, did he have an off game? He looked a bit lethargic to me, to be honest...

Although Celtic did most of the pressing, a lot of their team didn't play with any real aggression, so maybe I watched Celtic and Eduardo on a bad day.

We have to sign two midfielders, nothing has changed.

I watched the game, and agree with Steve: Davies did put in a shift, he's not a defensive midfielder, but that's the position he's being asked to play, because we have no-one else.

I would also agree with Steve, Sigurdsson offers absolutely nothing from open play, and Barkley was way better. Ancelotti is totally pissed that Brands still hasn't signed any of his targets, still haggling over fees – look at what happened with Gabriel.

I listened to Schneiderlin: he came to Everton because of Koeman, and it was Koeman who signed Bolasie, Sigurdsson, Rooney and Klaassen – three No 10's – and no striker. Why did Walsh get all the blame?

Andrew @235 and Jonathan @238,

I too can see Carlo leaving before Xmas if the so-called promised transfers do not happen!

I'm not aware of Carlo ever walking away; however, he must be wondering what he's let himself in for!

If Bill Kenwright is still involved in transfers, nothing will happen until the final day of the window, and then it will be panic buys again!!!

I do agree with keeping your powder dry over who we are genuinely looking to bring in.

But Kenwright will scupper any progress Brands makes with his constant attempts to influence a reduced fee deal.

I hope I'm wrong about Carlo leaving, but could you honestly blame him if he did?

Robert, 227, we certainly are relegation fodder if we don't sign anyone. Look how we ended the season. I doubt whether we will sign three “good” players. Our first choices have just signed for other clubs and we are struggling to sign our second choices. Watch teams like Leeds go past us.

Are Everton a football club or a charitable act being caressed by Kenwright, Barrett-Baxendale, and the rest of the fawning dewy-eyed followers?

It's the classic "tail wagging the dog" syndrome and is acceptable to Moshiri as long as we maintain Premier League status that will assist in his ultimate aim of building the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium with backing from his mate Usmanov and being in pole position – in conjunction with Peel Holdings – to reap fantastic monetary rewards in the regeneration of the northern docks.

Other clubs, Man City, Liverpool etc, have the ethics correct: namely, we are a football club with a burning desire to achieve the highest accolades. Could you imagine the owner, money men and managers of these clubs putting up with the club's directors appearing to be more concerned in charitable work – no matter how laudable they may be?

The Baines situation to me sums up our charitable views: let's give a multi-millionaire a job within the club... maybe he can help Sharp, Ferguson, Cahill etc build and polish Uncle Bill's trainset and spend an evening or two reading nursery rhymes to charitable patrons.

Charity begins at home, let's hope that Moshiri wises up to the fact sooner than later – otherwise, Bramley-Moore Dock will become the finest charity doss-house in the world.

For God's sake, wake up, Everton, and smell the coffee! The ridicule and laughter at this once famous club is deafening!!! I live in Greater Manchester and the derision shown by Man City and Man Utd fans toward the charity that is Everton is overwhelming and downright embarrassing – and sadly in the main correct.

The foul stench of Kenwright lingers on.

I didn't see that game, Dave. Post-lockdown Scottish footy has been more lethargic than the English version generally.

I watched quite a bit of Celtic last season. Edouard was very good, especially in Champions League and Europa League games where he often bailed Celtic out.

He reminds me of Van Dijk when he was at Celtic. Way, way too good for up here and a very good bet to be successful elsewhere.

We watched Southampton buy Van Dijk, Hull buy Robertson and Arsenal buy Tierney, when we could have bought all three. I hope we don't watch someone else buy Edouard.

Looks like the TW misery boys are in their element, revelling in all the “We're going down” bullshit and Kenwright bashing. What a complete load of crap. We'll finish top 8 for sure.

Paul, 250, we'll eventually have an offer accepted, then agree a salary deal. Then we'll decide the offer was to much and reduce it, try to hang on to the end of the window, then watch another club get him with an offer greater than our final one.

Jerome @ 236, do you mean Danny Donachie?

We played someone with "pool" in their name we were never going to win.

More worrying is the look of another uninspiring transfer window instead of the requisite rebuild. We do seem to operate on a "fiddling while Rome burns" model, confirming suspicions of heavy drug abuse within the Everton hierarchy.

Agreed Steve. Anyone who thinks we'll get relegated, come and meet me on Betfair, please!

Doesn't disguise the fact that things need changing, though!

Steve #251,

I expect Everton to end in the top six this coming season, due to Ancelotti.

I'll be surprised if we finish top 8, Steve, based on the current playing squad and the performances served post lockdown. Even with one or two additions, we are still off the pace of the likes of Wolves and Leicester and you know Dyches's Burnley will always play a style of football that grinds out results.

I'm not so certain top 8 is a given. Other clubs have progressed over the years whilst we have gone the other way.

Jerome, it's Danny Donachie. He's the son of Willie Donachie, Joe Royle's number 2 from his time in charge of the Blues.

I have cited the dewy-eyed views of our Boys Pen Bill and Denise Barrett-Baxendale a multitude of times over many threads this summer, the recent email evidenced this more than any posts by TWers.

The only way out of this is to split the two entities: EitC with the awesome Boys Pen Bill and Denise Barrett-Baxendale fully focusing on all things charity and community activities. Moshiri should then get one of the most successful Chairmen in the Premier League era to do a root-and-branch review of the footballing operation side.

Step forward, David Dein, as a consultant; he delivered sustained achievements at Arsenal and delivered their stadium.

Make no mistake, the bottom 5 this season will be between Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Fulham, West Ham and Everton. I can't see any other outcome, especially if Carlo decides "This isn't for me!!!!"

New managers will think if Carlo walks away "I ain't going there!" We will end up destroying an up-and-coming young manager or an Ferguson trying to do a King Kanute. This club is rank.

Just a minor point to throw into the discussion.

It appears to have passed without comment in the last few days (apologies if it hasn't) that we have not entered our Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, judging by the regional groups announced last week.

This may or may not be a good decision.

But Spurs, Palace, Burnley and Sheff Utd are, I believe, the only other Premier League clubs not to enter.

I'd be interested to read the opinions of those who have closely followed our youth operation in recent seasons.

This may be part of some strategic shift to loan more young players out to give them experience that way. But I can't help wondering if there is an element of cost-cutting in this decision. A club our size should be able to enter a team in this competition.

Either way, I believe it is a decision that the club should have explained – and "sold" their argument on it, rather than wait to be asked.

Apologies if this has actually been done but I can find nothing about this on the club website.

We'll be vying for 7th along with Leicester and Wolves. Southampton too perhaps. Leeds are a big club with a good manager, but our players are vastly superior.

Of their promotion side, I'd be pleased to have Kalvin Phillips but that's it. Ben White was another standout but he was on loan. They will find goals hard to come by unless they find a new striker.

Steve #258,

Thanks, should not have relied on memory in my haste to post.

Robert @261, I gotta admire your optimism but, looking at performances in the last 10 league games, it's hard to see us competing with well-run clubs. Wolves and Leicester are out of reach, certainly at the moment. Ignoring our midfield, Pickford is still in goal.

This seems to have turned into an "Ancelotti will walk" thread. I can think of nine million reasons he won't walk this season. And another nine million next season.

The Club is bloated with players on multimillion contracts who are not delivering. The chickens have come home to roost. Ancelotti will do what he can but no one realistically expects more than maintenance of Premier League status given the state of the Club.

Mike #260

There is an element of cost-cutting and shop-windowing with over-20s being loaned out. The emphasis development wise seems to the Under-18s. The age profile of the Under-23s has significantly reduced. That seems to be the opinion of those that actually follow and attend youth football matches,

Paul (250), fair enough, I'll take your word that he's worth signing, never go on one game. He did have a bit of style and class in his play but looked casual and languid in his movement.

Sporting Index spread is a realistic guide.

They have us 9th on 52 points, 18 points behind the 4th-placed team and 16 points clear of relegation. If you think we will do better or worse and have confidence, wade in.

I can understand Ancelotti's concerns because the whole shooting match is dependent upon how Brands fares in this transfer window.

3 or 4 excellent signings and we could be challenging Tottenham's projected 61 points in 6th. A bad window will see us with Brighton and West Ham's projected 44 points.

More upside or downside cannot be ruled out, but the percentages get very small on that happening.

Steve - we will not finish top 8 with this squad and reinforcements of the calibre reqiured seem thin on the ground with little more than rumour then another club snapping up. That is not bashing anyone - it is fact and shows how badly the club operates at all levels. Are you seriously suggesting those in the boardroom are competent and doing a good job and that player recruitment is working correctly?

Paul T is correct – savvy recuruitment of the three mentioned would have transformed our last three seasons. Let us hope we do not miss further relatively modest outlay players who would be both effective on the field and good business. Our recent purchases under Brands and Walsh in the main are very ineffective players.

Robert – our players don't seem 'vastly superior' to anyone - Blackpool showed that as did Liverpool's youth team and many many more.

Steve #251. Totally agree!

Jeez, I've had more enjoyment reading the obituaries in the red echo than some of the posts by the miserable sods on here.

We might as well cancel our season tickets for the forthcoming season and demand a full refund. After all, who wants to support a team that's already been relegated before a ball has even been kicked in anger?

Steve F, if we finish above Fulham with this side, I'll tattoo "Bill Kenwright Saved Everton" across my backside.

What Fran says at 223 -

In the eyes of the wider world, we like Espanyol.

That statement is, quite unfortunately, true.

And Robert at 261 and Steve Ferns at various:

We'll be vying for 7th along with Leicester and Wolves. Southampton too perhaps.

I'm generally a very positive person. But that statement for me is said with Blue blinders on. If our current squad is left untouched, we are a bottom half team. Of that I have no doubt. Now, if we strengthen in midfield this window, we could challenge for 6th to 7th. Two consecutive windows of adding real talent, along with our younger players continually developing, I honestly believe we could start to threaten the top 4.

But as it stands now, we are mid-table at best and most likely 11th to 14th. Our midfield simply isn't good enough to compete.

Finally, if we pay stupid money and wages on a player who won't have any sell-on value, it's idiotic. There's a lot of shit thrown at Marcel, but from a macro level the dude is spot, spot on. Buy the young talent, let it mature, nurture that talent, and turn Everton into a competitive, money-making machine that can sell young kids at huge profits. [or keep them!]

I feel like we're just a massive mess at the moment. Worst landscape since God smiled on me in 2007 and introduced me to Everton Football Club. We're on a knife's edge right now. It's either going to improve, or we're in really, really big trouble.

Steve F, we have been beaten by a Liverpool team with many academy players, our goalkeeper in one half conceded 3 goals against Blackpool, our first choice out-and-out striker hasn't scored in the last 10 Premier League games. I think if fair to say we have reason to be concerned.

I'd say without any new signings we'll finish in the bottom 8 and that means flirting with relegation. I'd challenge anyone to explain how we will finish any higher?

With 2 or 3 decent signings, we'll have a similar torturess season as the last one, finishing any were between 9th and 12th, just treading water in other words. Entertainment will be in tiny amounts as usual.

The biggest problem, as always, will be who will score the goals? Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are easy and predictable to nullify for most opposition defenses and the present midfield is incapable of adding more than 8 goals a season between the whole sorry bunch of them.

Paul T @ 255,

There was a lot of optimism before last season due to the final third of the season before. But we limped to 12th place and probably would have finished a lot worse had we not changed managers in December.

The worst thing we could do this year is thinking we are too good to go down seeing the gutless group of players we are depending on right now.

Everton will get relegated this season. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded.

Years ago, I gave me arl feller stick for being around when Everton last got relegated in 1954. "How did you let that happen? What did you do to stop it?"

I now realise he was almost as powerless then as I am now... although, back then, the club still had standards and the supporters were viciously fanatical.

The present diabolical state of our football club and how it's been allowed to happen means nothing short of invading Goodison and Finch Farm en masse and tearing into all and sundry is possibly the only chance we have of avoiding the coming disaster and this will not happen with our modern day comatose support, Mogadoned into a stupor by decades of mismanagement and lies.

Throw in the fact that too many of the people who make comments on internet sites, the only media that seems to be taken notice of nowdays, don't come from Liverpool, live abroad, have never been to Goodison, or are just Johnny-come-lately mavericks who really don't know the club apart from what they can glean online, and the future looks ominous, frightening and, believe it or not, worse than the nightmare we're going through now.

Brace yourselves, we're going down this year unless the sleeping tablets wear off.

Nick 270, the problem there is he only O is next to the last letter.

Trevor/Andrew, it's nothing to do with complacency. I think we're currently a mid-table team. And unless we invest in what we need, we'll be a mid-table team next season, too.

We're currently 19.0 on Betfair to get relegated. I'd say that's a true measure of our odds, but if I thought we'd get relegated I'd be all over that.

Fill yer boots if you're so sure!

Steve #251,

If you think we will finish in the top eight with this current set of players, then you are deeply deluded. Think Bournemouth on the last day of the season.

And what if we were to lose either Richarlison and/or Digne either to injury through the season or to a big bid(s) in the coming weeks? Either or both of these scenarios are entirely possible.

You clearly possess an ability I lack, ie, an ability to see into the future. Obviously, if we bring players in then that changes the dynamic and the outlook depending on the quality of the purchases and their ability to stay fit... think Gbamin.

Marcel Brands does not have a great track record on acquisitions. I do not think anyone is revelling in the "we're going down" bullshit as you put it; all I see and hear is a lot of worried Evertonians who are concerned about our future and particularly, our Premier League survival. Without signings, which we cannot guarantee, we finished 12th last season; those concerns are entirely valid.

I know football is a business but can't we just cancel or pay off the likes of Sigurdsson and about eight others (including the goalie!) and then start again and see if Simms can challenge the front two? Same with Beni Baningime pushing Gordon to see if they have it?

The alternative is a real dogfight and these players have no fight.

I wrote an article earlier on called Prospects In This Transfer Market and a lot of what supporters replied in it has shown up over the last number of weeks, mainly players preferring other clubs to Everton.

I hope after this shambles Ancelotti looks back on the comment he is alleged to have said to the players of "Come back with more motivation and more ambition."

We are in the miserable position of having difficulties to bring in the players the manager wants and the sadder thing is what we see is what he has to work with. Let's look on the bright side though, things can't get any worse, can they? They can only get better.

Paul (250) and Ken (268), as I recall it, we were actively engaged in trying to sign both Van Dijk and Robertson when they were plying their trade north of the border. At the end of the 2014-15 season, we were even the favourites to sign the former (for around £10M).

Siggy scoring his only ever free-kick and half pointing about seems very dangerous for the new season because even our world-class manager seems blinded by the likes of him, Gomes and Davies. Them three won't think twice about letting our Premier League status slip away. Granted, Davies is a Blue... but he's still powerless to stop the free-fall.

Derek #200. Well said.

If Davies was MotM yesterday, then we are well and truly screwed!!!

There was never going to be a complete rebuild this year. Even with the addition of two or three players, Carlo simply must drive improved teamwork from the current squad if we are to break into the top half of the table. Surely that is not beyond the capability of one of the highest paid managers in world football.

Steve 281, yes we were. Could have got Van Dijk for £10m. Mrs Martinez is Scottish and Roberto regularly scouted up here.

We bought Funes Mori instead of Van Dijk. I was also reliably informed that we were close to buying Robertson, but pulled out because Baines was in position.

I think it's far too easy for folk to jump on their keyboards and tell us that Everton are going to be relegated this season, so I've got an idea that might help you think twice about this:

A £50 donation to ToffeeWeb needs to accompany such claims. It's not a bet as such — let's call it 'earnest money', a great expression I learnt on the other side of the pond.

If it turns out that you are right, and Everton are relegated, we may refund a portion of your earnest money. But we will be in a foul mood, so there are no guarantees provided.

There is a lot of doom and gloom after that showing at Blackpool, and understandably so. Notwithstanding what happened at the end of the season and the apparent feet dragging in the transfer market, we can all imagine what to expect this coming season.

Playing Spurs away in the first game also seems the Gods are against us.

However, having said all that, we long-suffering fans will as usual have some optimism that things may improve.

Carlo is now under real scrutiny having had time to assess the bums he has and must realize that half of them can do nothing to get this club anywhere so we obviously hope that some of the transfer interests come to fruition very soon.

No Michael, get 'em on Betfair! I'm waiting!

I entirely agree, John @285. I had hoped that was why Ancelotti came to us: to show that he could mould a side from less than stellar materials.

Teamwork, toughness of mind and a bit of style would be nice to see. Not much to ask.

It would still be nice to see three solid buys, mind you. One of whom needs to be a very bad loser.

Steve,

I admire your optimism mate and I believe you said something similar before last season. Your protracted optimism in Silva and the team was ill-founded too.

Most on here are being realistic. While I don't think we are relegation fodder, we are currently utter shite. About 2 or 3 of our current players are worthy of the shirt. The rest are either extremely poor or extremely average and at that, they are inconsistent, even over 90 minutes.

While I don't rely on one game usually, the performance against the might Blackpool yesterday told me a lot about our chances. We let 3 of the most basic goals in, and it could have been more, all from open play. We did not score a single goal from open play and, without Sigurdsson, we likely wouldn't have scored any. That in itself is cause for concern.

It is quite obvious to most of us that, without some quality recruitment, we could implode.

We have brought quality management into the club but have not created the conditions for them to be successful. That is even more damaging than bringing in average quality management (eg, Moyes) with low expectations.

Carlo is a man with high standards and pride with a pedigree to match. He does not suffer fools gladly. The likes of Kenwright may be able to bully or kid lesser managers but it won't wash with Carlo. I am also of the mind that Brands is not being allowed to do the job he is being brought in to do and is being lined up to be the fall guy.

No club is ever going to be successful if the owner and the chairman keep pushing for players they like. I am sure Iwobi and Zaha were put forward by Moshiri and Kenwright can't keep his nose out of any proposed deal and IMO was responsible for the collapse of the Koeman regime.

If we are that dysfunctional off the pitch, how can the club ever be "elite" again? And "elite" these days has expanded to the top 7 or 8.

Your support for Tom Davies is admirable and I would also love the lad to come good but he is part of the problem – not part of the solution.

Davies, Sigurdsson and Gomes should not be anywhere near a top class midfield.

On a positive note the coming season is likely to be far less predictable than most in recent years. The top clubs involved in European competitions will have no midweek gaps between fixtures for most of the season, especially if they go through to the latter stages of the domestic cup competitions.

The lack of recovery time for their players is likely to cause some surprise results. Throw in the possibility of further Covid-19 waves causing player sick absences or even postponements and we have the potential for one of the mid-table clubs to rise above their normal station. Could that be us?

Paul, nobody said Everton would get relegated but it's a very dangerous approach to comprehensively state that they won't. Some of the performances at the end of last season were so appalling, if the new season starts the same way, then a very dangerous rot could set in early on.

Andrew, I don't think we'll get relegated. Mediocre as we currently are, I believe there will be at least 8-10 teams below us at the end of the season. We can cherry pick performances to suit either view.

If I thought there was a chance of us being relegated, I'd be straight on at 19.0.

It's an opinion based on the last couple of seasons. I'd say it's a pretty sound one.

Over the past few seasons, there have been some teams who have been rock bottom and have been unable to close the gap to escape their fate.

I can honestly say over the course of those seasons, Everton have been woeful but somehow managed to get the points in the bag to keep us away from the danger area.

If we go into this season with no new signings, we could be dragged down to the bottom half and if these teams find some form, we really are in for a fight, something this team lacks, no fight, no guts, no passion.

This can all change if we bring the desired players in, but make no mistake, this current team could not give a toss, if we are down among them, I just cannot see us fighting our way out of it.

Call me a doom merchant by all means, but without change in this current team, we are screwed, and one of these Days, we will not be as lucky as having 4 or 5 teams worse than us that give us a safety net.

We need to act in this window, get the midfield sorted.

Season tickets sold out, home and away shirts, record sales new sponsor new kit maker... Colin Glassar, you and others might think the terrible will happen but thousands of others don't. I'm not knocking your view, Colin, or anyone's else's view, but there are a lot of people who think we will still be the mid-table team we have been for years.

Let's protest. Tell Moshiri that he needs to spend on Carlos' transfer targets and get Kenwright out the fooking door.

Bobby, have you seen the protest by Charlton fans who managed to get into the stadium and some occupied the board room?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53875458

PT, sage as always. I'm of the opinion we will flirt with relegation. Partly it's quality, but mostly we have a new manager on his first preseason, he's had a good look at his squad.

The vibe should be optimistic, upbeat and healthy. That's not what we are getting. I appreciate times are strange, but that goes for all clubs.

There's a real lack of bite and fight in this group of players and, more importantly, I don't see it with Carlo. Everton teams generally always have that raw edge; we seem to be meek. That's my worry, start poorly and I really don't think we have the resolve.

I'm holding my breath.

Norwich took 3 points, Bournemouth 6 points off us. Over the past three seasons, our return against the relegated teams has gone through the floor.

Our return against the top 6 is abysmal. Mid-table. Leicester, Wolves, Arsenal, Southampton and yes Sheff Utd. Do people really think we will out perform the mid-table teams on head-to-head games.

Then Leeds, and West Brom are investing in players and look better defensive units.

So Fulham, Villa Palace, Hammers and us!!! If we don't sign anyone better than we currently have, we are reliant on Richarlison and Digne.

I believe it will be a huge challenge to keep Richarlison and Digne motivated and fit to keep us out of trouble.

I'll certainly send ToffeeWeb a donation whether or not we stand to be relegated. How boring life would be if it was only the wife we could sound off to?

But returning to matters in hand, I once again beg fellow posters to avoid the pain – nay agony – by lowering their expectations over the next few seasons.

Having seen a succession of managers and DoFs blow the thick end of Half a Billion Pounds over four years, it is reasonable of Moshiri (or Usmanov?) to pull up the drawbridge, particularly now that Bramley-Moore Dock is so high on the agenda. And I suspect Carlo well knew the score when he took the job, and saw it as an opportunity for his son to learn how to build a team as well as a reputation.

As others have said, the only Premier League target during the stadium development is to stay there – with bonuses attaching to any finish above 18th. So why don't we – if loyal supporters – sign up to this agenda and stop agonising because the team is so ordinary?

Bobby @296, if there was an award for the most passionate or loyal fans, Everton would win it hands down. If this bunch of cowards in the team had 1% of our passion, I would agree with you.

The club knows, no matter what, the supporters will always be behind our football club, whether through season tickets, shirt sales, we will back the club and show our support.

If we can bring those two midfielders in, it changes the whole aspect of our team. It will allow us to drive forward and give better support to our forward line, taking less strain of our defence. At the moment, our midfield are turning and playing the ball backwards to our defenders.

But make no mistake, Bobby, if we go into the new season with no new additions, we will be in for a long hard season; there is no leadership whatsoever in that team.

Each and every one of our posters on here and fellow Evertonians I would want in a trench next to me, watching my back. I cannot say the same about the majority of gutless players we have in this team.

Because, Derek, the so-called custodians above Carlo are not, and never will be, for the good of the club. But hey, you want to happy-clap, Moyes-style — carry on, mate,

Seems odd that we would appoint a manager of Ancelotti's stature and pay him a top salary, yet so far fail to land any of (if the press reports are correct) his transfer targets.

Ancelotti said at the end of last season, I hope the players come back more focused and more competitive; he also said he hoped he could get his transfer targets signed to take part in pre-season.

Now, on yesterday's showing, the players played exactly as they did at the back end of last season. Also, apart from the young French left-back, there were no additions to the squad.

Well, if Moshiri was going to tighten the purse strings, and limit the spending on new players, then he would have been better reappointing Moyes, who worked with a tight budget last time and had us around 6th to 8th which is where most of the ambitious TWs have us finishing.

I would go as far as to say this is one of the weakest squads we have had in many a year. While we have had squads with players with limited ability, they at least showed a desire and a fight that is sadly lacking in this group. During the stewardship of Moshiri, despite him bankrolling this club to the tune of £450 million, we look further away from winning a trophy than ever.

When Moshiri joined, it allowed us all to dream of Everton competing for trophies again on a regular basis. But sadly we are just a club making up the numbers, but – unlike the other clubs doing the same – they haven't spent £450 million to get there.

And yet who knows, who knows at all? Perhaps if everyone, club included, stopped agonising so much and relaxed a little, we might start to do ourselves some justice. We're so tightly coiled that we can't move.

Ian # 300.

Our return against the top six is abysmal, I'm not going to argue with that, though who is the top six you mention, as you seem to have Leicester and Arsenal classed as mid-table?

Anyway, you have listed, what looks to me anyway, Leicester, Arsenal, Southampton, Wolves and Sheff Utd as mid-table teams, four teams we beat either home or away last season, drew with Arsenal at home and very unlucky to lose away too.

So yes, I do think we can out perform these teams in head to head games. As you seem to have forgotten Newcastle and Brighton, these are two more teams we can out perform on a head to head.

Jeez, why do some people only look at the negative aspects?

I used the word 'if' – a small word with a big meaning. IF we have a bad start, IF we rely on the players that have brought about so much grief and misery, IF we get into a relegation battle. I wish I could be as optimistic as Steve Ferns but I'm sorry this season coming does not fill me with hope. Hopefully I'm wrong and Steve is right.

If Brands does get moved on it will have nothing to do with him not "getting" Everton. It will be because he doesn't get what constitutes a good player.

Few people in any industry would gave remained in a job if they had squandered as much as he has. He'd have squandered even more if he hadn't have been knocked back so often.

We have gone steadilly backwards since he got here.

Rob, I respect your loyalty and great support following Everton around the country, before the closed stadiums came in. I admire your posts and Steve Ferns as well.

I love your "glass half-full" outlook on this current crop of players.

It is not often I disagree with posters on here, but I really feel if we go into the next campaign without sorting that midfield out, it will be a long hard season.

Like I have stated before, we have managed to dig out results against the teams you have mentioned; last few seasons we have been the best of a very poor bunch.

That current crop of players have no fight. I fully expect us to bring the two midfielders in. That in itself will bring a whole new completion to our team. Forward balls, instead of our midfield turning and playing a backwards path.

Make no mistake, though: we cannot go into the new season with no additions and that same midfield.

I hope I am proved wrong, I really do, but that current squad fills me with fear of our once great football club.

Brian, no arguments from me there mate. I totally agree with you, and everyone else, about the midfield. We desperately need at least two quality midfielders to play alongside Gomes, as I think he will be nailed on to start next season.

I've already said elsewhere that goalkeeper is not a priority position for us to sign another, so a new right-back, two midfielders, and a new striker. Not asking a lot is it?

John P, you won't see it with Carlo. When he was sacked at Goodison, the first thing he said was 'hired because I'm quiet, sacked because I'm quiet.' He's not a cup-thrower.

There is no fight, spirit, purpose in this group of players. There is a sliver of competence that appears now and again, which is enough to beat most sides in this league.

That spirit will have to be brought in this summer. Otherwise I predict a slightly better-organised, slightly less inconsistent season of dullness to come.

Thats more like it, Rob, 100% agree on that mate.

Brian why don't you and people realize that the transfer market has changed. Years ago a player could come into his club and be told, "Pack your bags son you have been sold to Everton."

Today, first you have to go through a players agent who automatically spreads the word that another club is after his player and this starts to involve other clubs becoming interested. Once the player finds out other clubs are interested in him he can pick and choose who he goes to.

Take the central defender on who Everton were interested in for a long while including supposed agreed terms and a medical, now other clubs have become interested in him. If you were this player who would you choose? Everton, Chelsea or Arsenal?

I have said before, Everton have a very difficult job in bringing in quality players when clubs above us are also interested, remember there are 11 other clubs who finished above us, regardless who is to blame we are in a difficult position and it doesn't matter who the manager is, attracting quality players is going to be very hard.

Steve #253

Yes it was Danny not Ian. Picked up on my own rushed mistake later on, thanks to Steve Fearns.

Hope people are able to get the gist of where I am coming from. In this era of multi-million-pound footballer, it must be difficult to actually stand up and say how it is, especially if some players are prepared to seek advantage and bank their wages with as little effort as possible.

But Donachie, like Brands, has to be up to dealing with this and settle for nothing less than the highest commitment on the p!ayers part, aspiring to the highest performance possible.

That is correct, Bill, in regards to the centre half, we agreed terms and a salary for the player; however we did not agree on a price to the selling club, we made an offer, below their valuation. As likewise we have with Allan and Doucouré, both agreeing on the terms of the contract offered, but both bids falling short of the other clubs valuation.

This is what is allowing other clubs to then come in and offer more money to the selling club. We could have had all three players at our club now, instead of dithering over a few million to the selling club.

With the centre-back, we were unlucky when the pandemic came in to stall on the transfer; however, I feel we could have done more once the transfer window reopened.

If we lose out to Allan and Doucouré over a few million, we will only have ourselves to blame with trying to squeeze a few million off the asking price.

We agreed a fee of £30 Million for Magalhaes, and Lille accepted the offer, before the pandemic, we then bid £18 Million the other week.

To be expected during the current climate, with his price lowered, other teams have sniffed a bargain and rightly threw their hat into the ring but, on many occasions, we have lost out on players, with dithering.

Time for a cheery post, maybe.

The Red side for some reason also can't afford to buy many new players.

Age wise, they are in a bad place if they don't invest in top quality players this season, as at least half of their best eleven from last season are 28 or over. (Although they sold Lovrens recently.) The front 3 are 29 soon, and will drop steeply in value.

As for us, most of our team are 27 or under and have time to improve, eg, Holgate, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison... Gordon did improve visibly – Gordon progressed enough in 1 year to make left-wing his own in the first team from the U23s.

If we get Allan or an equivalent, who is obviously better than Højbjerg at Spurs, then it might turn out this can free Gomes or Sigurdsson who can play 10 yards closer to the forwards more often; or even Davies who looked good going forwards vs Man City, and when he chipped in that ball to Calvert-Lewinthat hit his thigh.

The team is still young and will improve with a few more weeks of coaching from Carlo.

An Allan type of player, with Gbamin returning too, will help our technical players to play more freely.

Bill, 313, wasn't it Pat Van Den Hauwe who said that in Howard's Way?

He said, when he was at Birmingham, that six of us were told one morning before training started that we were leaving the club. The manager (was it Ron Saunders, I can't remember) said to Pat, "Pack your bags as you're going to Everton."

Needless to say Pat jumped at the chance as he joining a great team back then. I think the first time the fans knew about any transfers back then was when it was in the Stop Press in the late edition of the Red Echo.

A tough season awaits. They didn't prepare enough, they are not ready. Season upon season it is the same, they are never ready. Bad management and bad coaching.

If it was a 3-3 scoreline pre-season friendly against say Liverpool or Chelsea, then okay... but Blackpool! Mediocrity is acceptable to Everton who are not willing to do the hard miles to achieve greatness.

If I was some of you on here, I wouldn't bother watching the upcoming season if a friendly match upsets you this much.

I appreciate Steve Ferns optimism, but top eight "for sure"? I sure hope so, but the basis for that optimism I find baffling.

I'm not exactly reassured by Steves track record in predicting things either. I remember Steve defending Silva on here passionately, but defending him far past the point of logic, reason or even common sense. It literally got to the point I was starting to think he was trolling us. It was, to be blunt, cringe-worthy and embarrassing by the inevitable end.

I don't think we'll go down but, without additions, I can't see this squad doing an awful lot better than last season either. 9th or 10th on around 54 points is my realistic view of this groups ceiling. Although Ancellotti is much better than the utterly hopeless Silva, the Portugese poser at least had a packed Goodison behind him.

The run in at the end of last season without the faithful was truly dismal, so any advantage gained by having a better gaffer is likely to be cancelled out by the lack of home support early doors in my view. I'm thinking that VAR can't possibly screw us as badly this season as it did last season, so that's where those extra few points are going to come from.

But make no mistake: this is a limited group and doesn't really allow Ancellotti a lot of flexibility in how we play most sides. Michael Keane's lack of pace means we are forced to sit very deep to hide it, and with the midfield we have it essentially means we just invite teams onto us.

Ancellotti had some good early results but I felt he'd been pretty much sussed out by the end of the season. It was Mourinho who worked out that rotating players to kick Richarlison all over the park essentially neuters us and of course we have Spurs first up. It's a copycat league, and plenty of other teams adopted that tactic and will continue to do so.

This group needs reinforcements, as has been well discussed. Without them we're essentially paying Carlo £9 million to play KITAP1.

My most optimistic view of us is 9th. Injuries to the likes of Holgate and Richarlison or fans being held out of grounds until say November and I figure we could finish 14th or so.

"Like a new signing" Bolasie pretty much sums up where we are as a football club right now. The short pre-season and jaded nature of this playing group leads me to believe we're in for another long grind and midtable finish.

Not just a friendly, Paul, but a disturbing pattern for several seasons now. We are like a rudderless ship, possibly, heading into a storm.

Colin, I remember a few years back when you were a cheerful soul, one of the lads so to speak!! FFS, even you didn't understand what that programme Fortitude was all about! Now, well I'll leave it at that. 😁😁😁.

On a brighter note, in about 2.5 hours the RS will no longer be European champions. TFFT!!

Without additions, the squad is roughly an 8th - 12th place squad. If young players like Calvert-Lewin and Holgate maintain their improvement, and injuries are very, very kind, we could perhaps push to mix around 6th - 8th. I personally don't see how a squad so lacking goals, or athleticism, legs and physicality centrally, could achieve that. There's also the keeper.

There's another big problem though, which has been mentioned by one or two above. There's a culture problem in the dressing room. It's quite simple – they're a bunch of extremely well paid shithouses and a very difficult bunch to motivate. The away form is a joke.

Fans have seen through the platitudes, which mean nothing. The empty words actively contribute to the mood in the fanbase, which reminds me of when things weren't happening during Kendall's second spell. There's a disconnect. I'd say that the majority of fans dislike a majority of the players.

The only time it's perked up and we've seen what I would call proper Everton performances is when a big hard-as-nails Jock was put in charge. Ferguson made it clear there were no excuses whilst also lighting a fire under the team and fan base. Some basic fucking pride.

Some of our players are such arseholes that I can quite easily see us ending up in bother, so I don't dismiss people's concerns. The team spirit and dressing room culture issues are as big as the talent ones. Ancelotti has a tough gig here. He really does.

PS, Colin I'm only joking!!

People say you can't polish a turd but if you left it out on street in the baking Arizona sun, the heat would evaporate the moisture leaving a quite brittle, but firm turd. At which point you could apply Mr Sheen to give it a nice brown gloss.

In that vein, does Carlo have patience, a heat lamp and some polish?

Having now seen the goals, it looked to me that we were caught cold right at the start. The players were trying to ease their way into their first pre-season game and were rocked back by Blackpool's attacking and three very well taken goals albeit helped by very slack play which is not unusual at this stage.

That said, other teams had good wins over much better opposition and, whilst I would expect us to get much better in defence and attack, the midfield four continued where they left off last season and it is difficult to see how Carlo is suddenly going to turn them back into good players.

If we need cash then Pickford and Kean look expendable to me but however we finance it we need two or three decent midfielders to come in.

What's happened to Fraser of Bournemouth who is on a free? Worth a try if available as he is worth £15-20M so great resale possibilities if he didn't fit in?

Kieran 326.

Or you could just hang on to Tom Davies and save yourself all the trouble you've outlined having to go to just to find a like-for-like replacement?

Without class additions, we are just an ordinary mid-table team.

It's a case of hope springs eternal each season, the main man has supplied a decent amount of money but it's just not been spent well. The reality is that at this time we are not that attractive a destination to the very best players.

I think the best option for us supporters is to enjoy the football for what it is and stop beating our heads against the wall.

I sincerely hope the Chris Smalling rumours are not true. If that happens, I'm finally done, until Kenwright is gone.

Joe @330.

Why? Is Bill buying players now?

Joe

By the time Kenwright “goes” he will no doubt have created some DNA clone technology to live on — using of course the Arteta money to fund the research.

Great to see PSG attacking with pace, their midfield don't dither about getting the ball forward. Then, when the wide men get it, it is all systems go to attack the full-back or defender at pace and with a bit of skill. No reverse gear allowed.

It's refreshing to watch there is no slow thought, no innocuous sideways passing, just a desire to attack fast as soon as in possession.

Joe, what on earth do those rumours have to do with Kenwright?

The Bill bashing really has to stop. He hasn't been in charge since 2016, but still he gets blamed.

Under Moshiri, we have gone backwards rapidly, even after spending over £450 million. The managers who Moshiri hired have been a disaster. But never mind... let's blame Bill. It's boring and childish now.

Gueye not getting any game time at PSG, on the bench again tonight, has to be on his way out.

We could do worse than take him back, especially when we did allow him to fulfill his dream move.

Paul @331,

Because he is the one common denominator during certainly the Premier League years of our demise, joining the board in the late 80s.

Chris Smalling is not the answer to our current problems. He brought in Moshiri even though he has no sports acumen after turning down John Moores and Charles Noell, who at least had some proven experience in sport. And amongst many other things, Kings Dock (the big one).

Please carry on reading below;
https://www.ToffeeWeb.com/season/12-13/comment/mailbag/24163.html

Christy, we played some of our best football in recent years with Gana and Zouma in the side. We looked a different team to what we have now.

A proper ball-winning, tackling central midfielder with a BMW engine that runs for 96 minutes breaking up play and feeding the likes of Gomes.

Then a quality left-sided centre-back with some serious speed to help us play higher up the field.

That has got to tell the recruitment exactly the type of player we need to be a functioning team again. Them two players themselves or ones with comparable or even better attributes.

Højbjerg & Gabriel was our first stab at it.

Paul #320,

You and most posters are missing Steve's point.

What we have at Everton is a side whose weaknesses since Ancelotti have been totally exposed. Whilst getting additional players would help, even if it looks as if Everton will not get the full quota required, this is only part of the equation.

The other parts are: fitness and training methods, availability of players through recovery, younger player progression, players getting up to speed technically and tactically with the levels that Ancelotti's coaching will demand collectively and individually.

The positives of the Blackpool game are that Everton where caught cold, but got up to speed in the game. Holgate lasted long enough without injury, Branthwaite got better, Kenny gradually fitted in. Gordon gradually fitted in well. Bolasie and Besic showed some flare and a willingness to work.

Moise Kean did play the ball better and Calvert-Lewin was positionally better. Sigurdsson's free-kick and penalty goal helped his confidence. Simms got on and Nkounkou was promising.

Iowbi, Walcott and Davies will realise that there is going to be competition for places and a need to focus. Lössi looked steady, showing Pickford a thing or two.

So generally there was positives for the squad and the high intensity training that Coleman loves will have further participants as other players arrive back, though personally I would have liked them back sooner. But Ancelotti took full advantage and give fringe players a chance which they will appreciate being now first-team squad members.

So can Ancelotti, with a few additions, bring this motley crew together? Yes, he can.

What's more, the Hierarchy (Ancelotti's new word – not mine) are going to find themselves under a lot more pressure than they have been under before, from a manager of a different calibre, that they have never had to deal with. Please no-one suggest the new Barcelona Manager.

So Steve has put forward a conservative prediction of 8th, in the face of relegation fears in August before a ball has been kicked. The Editorial team have tried to take advantage by opening a book.

I am confident that the many weaknesses exposed will be addressed to some extent, as Everton head in the right direction for once, and I confidently predict a top-six finish, solely due to the abilities of Ancelotti.

Fortitude broke me, Rob. 😢

Christy #336, things began so well for Gana in Paris, but it must have been devastating to sit out both the Champions League semi-final and the final after giving so much to get there.

If PSG doesn't want him anymore -- and that's possible, since Marquinhos is a superior performer in the middle of their current 4-3-3 -- then it would be wonderful to welcome him back.

What a difference he'd make... IF he would come.

Mike #341 & Tony #338,

I know they say, never go back, but this would be an exception. We're totally lacking since he left.

Also, he's not injury prone, and probably €10M cheaper than Allan. We need Doucouré as well, and with Gomes, our midfield would be 100% stronger.

Maybe we could give Sigurdsson to Koeman.

I cannot understand the fuss re Gana. A great sell by the club for a player who played in some of our worst performances in our history... remember Millwall?

Great tackler but little else, invariably gave the ball away with his next touch.

Kenwright is the common denominator.

He has cursed the club.

I've watched the CL Final, and I enjoyed watching the game.

Hope, dreams, and what ifs, in contemplation of EFCs, plans, this preseason.

This week the club, hopefully will land some signings of quality, and hopefully the context of this transfer window, will turn out to be a good omen, for EFC.

Hope eternal, but this time it's key, if the club wishes to improve on the past seasons.

Christy, we have no idea how he would feel about it. Or his family.

Colin #343... "worst performances in our history"?? Really?? If that's your first post, I hope you do better on your second, because that one came out of the north end of a southbound horse.

Paul #345, glad you enjoyed it, but I was hoping for a real 4-3 cracker, and I was disappointed. My book kept more of my attention than the game.

Mike, I assumed you watched the Millwall game.

And Kenwright is still the Chairman of the Board.

Not sure that squares fully with him not being in charge since 2016, Paul (#335).

In fact... I would venture to say that means he has been totally in charge, with a fully compliant hand-picked Board of Directors, and 'Teacher's Pet', in the form of his puppet, Little Miss Dynamite as CEO, cheery-picked to run the main charity institution after her diligent accomplishments at the EitC offshoot.

Who do you think has been in charge these last 4 years? I'm worried the whole point about Moshiri being an investor to provide the club with money, but not actually taking over power (even though he now owns 77.2% of the club's shares), might have passed you by?

But Kenwright, the Grande Profiteer, remains firmly in charge of the trainset.

Hi Jerome I think it is you that is missing the point many posters are making, namely that this squad stinks to virtually a man and that by himself, the manager no matter how talented is unlikely to turn the disfunctonality of the club at every level of operation.

We did not need Ancelotti to expose this side - most of us were accutely aware already. Addional players will not 'help' as you suggest - they are an absolute necessity - I for one have seen little so far to support your theory that "other parts are fitness and training methods, availability of players through recovery, younger player progression, players getting up to speed technically and tactically with the levels that Ancelottis coaching" is working - some of the performances on show must rank amonst the worst ever from an Everton team of any era when the players lack of backbone is also added in.

I sincerely hope you are correct in your assesments and prediction but some evdence of it has to surface for me to be a believer - needing set piece goals to draw at Blackpool does not inspire hope for me I am afraid.

Mike, I enjoyed it and I hope, you enjoyed, your book. :)

Yep I was hoping for extra time, to see how good these teams, are, but I think Bayern, wore PSG, out in the end.

To see a few decent first time passes and off the ball movement, but more than anything a solid and defiant Bayern, team spirit and work ethic.

Hard work, belief, guts and the skill, shows what can, be, done.

Hope eternal!

Colin#343 If you think Gana was a great sell by the club, can you tell me, how our midfield has improved?

I know there was a time when Steve Ferns barely had a good word to say about Gueye, admittedly his passing was not his strong point but he was quality and if the movement of our forwards and other midfielders was a notch above shite then it would have been made a little bit easier for Gana. He was never replaced and is what we are currently missing still. He has attributes that others at the club are sadly lacking.

They had all that, Paul, and are clearly the best side in the world at this point... I just always want a final with a bit more drama. The book is "The Ball is Round" -- recommended by someone here on TW. Excellent. Like your hopefulness.

Colin, I watched him 108 times.

Zackly Mike, and hopefully all Evertonians will have some good news this week, if we can get some players in.

The freedom of expression shown by those players, albeit not a classic, but enough style and class, and showing no fear in playing with and moving off the ball.

It's a team game and with confidence, anything can happen on the park and with EFC (hopefully a massive improvement, this coming season).

If?

I take Gana being a great sell to mean it was a rare example of us doing the kind transfer business that should be standard, for us. Buy quite young and cheap (£7mil?) and sell older and higher when we've mainly had the best of them.

As much as we miss Gana - or more to the point a player of that ilk - there is absolutely no point in buying him back when he's 31. And for probably not much less that we received. And on better wages. I mean, c'mon. If we take another mid on top of Allan then I hope that player is around 25 yrs or under.

Brian #315,

Yes, we have been accused of dithering on transfer fees and, on the other hand, we are accused of overpaying for players who, after signing, don't come up to their expectations of the fee paid. So where do you draw the line?

Ancelotti wanted the two players: one has signed for Tottenham and the other is expected to sign for Arsenal... have they paid more than or less than we offered?

My point is, it is not what clubs want to pay for them: the players prefer which club they want to go to. The player from Southampton made it clear he wanted to go to Tottenham, not Everton, so it did not matter what Everton offered, he didn't want to sign.

Brands, who is the one finding players and has said Everton will not be engaged in a bidding war, even though we may have a Billionaire owner the majority of clubs above us having richer owners, and some of them can offer European Competitions,

Frankly, our biggest miss in midfield has arguably been Barkley. Other than his first season, Gana was average in my opinion and, in his final season, our best football was played when he was with the African Cup of Nations. I believe Davies and Schneiderlin were in central midfield.

Just my opinion, of course. I feel he would now be a retrograde step and far too sentimental; he never turned up for the big games. However, unfortunately, that can be said for many of our players in recent times.

Bobby, I agree re Gana. He played his best football with us after PSG expressed an interest. Before that, he was a pressing machine but largely limited. If he returned to us now, it would be quite a climbdown from a Champions League run. Motivation (and physical capacity) to run his weekly marathon could wane quickly.

Makes more sense to find the younger model – Diallo, Sangare & Santamaria all still available (until Sam tells me they're not). Although I expect we will get Allan in the end.

Zouma would probably still make a good (albeit uninspiring) replacement for Keane. If not, then there's quite a few centre-halves knocking around who could do that job.

With Zouma and Allan (or similar), we can adopt the 4-3-3 / 4-3-2-1 that Silva played to very good effect back end of the 2018-19 season.

We also have an improved Calvert-Lewin, Holgate, Kean and Gordon from those heady days. And Iwobi of course – who might win the Ballon D'Or.

Which means we could well be gunning for 7th place and finishing anywhere between about 6th and 10th.

Not sure about Gana not being good before he left Colin, however we all see things differently. As I remember it he got better and better post PSG interest. Overall I thought improved as a player during his time here. In one of the few encouraging early Silva matches for example, away at Chelsea, he was absolutely immense, shutting stuff down all over the place.

Robert, we badly need in midfielders that are mobile and give us the option to successfully play a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2. I am sick of watching these holding sloths that can only play central in a 4-2-3-1 and offer no other options. Its been going on since Martinez ffs. Midfielders that offer some flexibility is surely not too much to ask!

Love your tongue-in-cheek with Iwobi winning the Ballon D, or, Robert, what price Sandro winning the Golden Boot.

Ken #349,

I did not say that additional players would not help, what I said was that there are other factors that can be worked on and, during the game, Ancelotti did try to. For the players involved, they at least felt that they were given a chance, especially fringe players.

It will be something they will be glad of, especially having been selected by Ancelotti to do so. This is a different approach than being effectively disregarded as young players and some older players have been under previously managers.

Though I have been critical of Brands and the Finch Farm medical services on this thread, I think that Ancelotti's commitment to higher intensity training will have a knock-on effect at Finch Farm. Even better is the possible situation developing where Ancelotti is questioning the hierarchy at Everton and, in doing so, making them more accountable, and forcing them to be responsive in positive fashion, putting them in the situation to show whether they are able or not.

This Everton going into next season will be a different Everton than what has gone into other previous seasons, because of these subtle changes and more, which one can only describe as going in the right direction at this stage, but in a month's time Ancelotti will be further on as the benefits of such an approach materialise as the players respond.

To say that Everton will fall further than last season is false, with this different Everton that is going into this season. The more likely outcome is at least a top six finish, which Ancelotti has only ever failed to achieve at the various clubs he has managed in different Leagues, in his first half-season at Everton.

Additional players will help and they all arrive in the coming weeks, but maybe not in the expected quantity or quality, having missed out on two principal targets. I don't think Ancelotti will be deterred from his objectives as a result.

Steve F 251

I am a Kenwright basher, as you put it.

Every window, dither, dither, dither... and it will continue that way all the time he has a say in the transfer negotiations.

You are entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine. Isn't that the point of TW?

In respect of where we finish, 8th as you say is realistic, but I would like to see us finish 1 or 2 places higher.

Relegation is something I've not even thought about.

Robert and Bobby... Gana is 15 months older than Allan, and has played exactly the same number of games in his career. Are they both too old for us?

I'd be pleased to have either one. Not both, but either one.

Paul @335,

Kenwright hasn't been majority shareholder since 2016, but he is still Chairman, a position he has held without any distinction whatsoever since 2004.

He was clearly instrumental in appointing a CEO who sadly does not have the experience or influence to competently run a major Premier League club.
In any normal organisation the Chairman and CEO are the key players. Why Moshiri had allowed this sorry state of affairs to continue is beyond my comprehension.

Mike, I think they are both too old. I was hoping we'd learned our lesson and would be avoiding players in their late 20s and upwards.

It looks like Allan could end up here. How much are we going to get out of him before he hits the downside? We already tried the ready-made route with Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin. Both players were on the fade within a year or two. On long deals. On thick wedge. Ashley Williams was done within a year. You could argue he was done when he showed up.

I understand that we badly need something in midfield, yesterday. I understand that Ancelotti knows him. I understand that he can play and will improve us. But for how long? Old men arriving for a last fat deal has been part of the problem.

Bobby, the point of getting one old player (like Allan) is for an instant fix and someone who will fit the system well. He is a brilliant player in a position we need.

Now what we need is to say this is an exception to the rule of signing young players, and sign someone like Sangare so he learns off Allan and isn't under the pressure of being first choice.

We seem to be getting two instant fixes, however. If we get a young quality right-midfielder to go along with it, it won't seem as bad.

Bobby, I'm all in on signing young players, but to me it's more about quality.

Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson were both 27 when we signed them, younger than Neymar is now. Age wasn't the problem there.

Allan and Gueye are both quality players. And they are both younger than Messi, Cristiano, Vardy, Aubameyang, and two guys who just absolutely dominated the Champions League, Muller and Lewandowski.

The starters for our current wreck of a midfield are aged 27, 27, 24 and 22. Youth can't help them overcome their lack of quality. And if the quality we need is available in somebody who's 29, I don't think he should be disqualified just on that basis.

I get what you're saying, but we're not short on youth. We're short on class.

Jerome.

I have seen an awful lot from you over several threads regarding a vast improvement in the players fitness levels. I'm really not sure what you are basing it on.

The fitness of our current squad is not the issue. Ancelotti himself told us this. What we suffer from is a lack of natural strength and athleticism.

Even when 8-9 of our players reach their optimum levels, they will still lack the natural power and athleticism you see in players in the 10 clubs which finished above us. Every club in today's Premier League will have their players in the best condition they can be in.

Carlo may be a great manager, but he can't put in what nature left out.

Mike Gaynes

I agree – although you could have given better examples than Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin to support an excellent point. 😂

The team we had in the mid-80s had a range of players including the likes of Andy Gray (no spring chicken) and Peter Reid. Good teams are a blend of youth and experience.

I agree with Mr Gaynes, there is nothing wrong in bringing in older players for their ability, even if it is a short-term fix for a couple of years. How I would like to have a 29-year-old Gareth Barry in the side!

Brian @360

The only “Golden Boot” Sandro will receive will involve a pair of Doc Martins and an accident in a paint shop.

I'm with you, Mike. We need a serious injection of quality in midfield. For years, I've been saying we need additional energy, athleticism and playmaking ability in midfield. Allan would obviously be a huge upgrade.

However, he is 30 years old in January and has been grafting in midfield for a long time already. This league is more demanding physically, it's faster and more intense. It's clearly a risk that we could get 1 or 2 seasons worth of player before the downside kicks in. I don't doubt his quality, for a moment. If he signs, we will see how long into his 4- or 5-year deal he maintains his levels for.

Gareth Barry is actually a superb example of exactly what I'm talking about. He was on a loan at 29 and, during that season, I actually thought he declined into the second half it. I was against giving him a fat 3-year deal. We got another single season's worth of decent football out of him. During his last 2 seasons, he was a problem. On the fade, old, slow and declining physically and unable to handle every week.

This squad desperately needs some streetwise, hard-knock players in it. Players that the like of Davies, Calvert-Lewin & Gordon will learn from. Players who will grab the team mid-match and lift it. The kind of players everyone forgets about when they talk about the Man Utd 'kids' team. That side had an array of good solid professionals in it.

We need that a lot more than 'resale value' right now.

Mike - the point I'm making with Gana Gueye is not so much age as motivation & capacity. His game is based on relentless pressing. How motivated would he be to keep up the work if he returns after a season in the big time alongside Neymar?

Paul, Kenwright bashing is childish and boring is it? Which American President was it who put a sign on his desk "The buck stops HERE"?

The buck stopped 30 bloody years ago largely due to the alien horrible Red Shite, but most of that 30 years Tiny Tears has thrown the buck to the nearest clown who'll take the blame. He thinks he is Mr Teflon because he presides over shite but comes out smelling like Joan Collins's handbag.

I think you can still get a game in Unsy's under 23 side if you are 24. Some on here would write players off soon after !

David #368

What I have advocated is high intensity training, which is now in place according to Seamus Colman. I have, you will probably can also verify, for longer , been critical of the Finch Farm regime which appeared to have high rest and recovery aspects.

This was particularly evident have football breaks and international breaks. The other problems where inconsistent performance levels as a team and recurring injuries. I discovered that Medical Services had a big input into training in advocating rest and recovery, therefore the overall level of training in the squad. In my post#233 I outlined the incite of Darren Burgess, High Performance Manager, and drew comparison with Everton, giving the history of Everton Head of Therapy Services to get across my point , (possibly singling him out unfairly and getting his name wrong )since he is as much a victim of Everton parental culture as anyone else, who works in it. He is enthusiastic about his job and has been will only to learn and adapt, though dealing with some players who are not worth the contract on and transfer fee paid, and in some cases injury prone and lazy.

The key is the new high intensity training and Ancelotti attempt of more player inclusiveness throughout Finch Farm at all levels , which will have a impact on motivation, physical resilience, and teamwork, with knock on effects on the key area of Medical Services. Ancelotti is continuing his theme of no hiding places and players are being challenged to move to the next level.

I am disappointed in Brands who appears to be considering paying his membership fee, if he has not already paid it fully, into' The Hierarchy', which Ancelotti has apparently refered too. The transfer policy of Everton appears to ass about face, in they correctly where paying 25million for a twenty year old, only to because of Covid try to cheapskate to £18 million and then be prepared to pay over £30 million for a 29 year old. They should have been prepared to pay 25 million for a 22 year old and £18million for a 29 years old, like Sevilla, Leipzig and Bayern Munich, would have done. Bayerns few top players are £55million at most and the age profile of them averages 25, most are Servilla /Leipzig prices. Bayerns high intensity play reflects what Burgess advocates.

Ancelotti has probably at this stage has abandoned sensible transfer policy and advocated throwing what ever 'the Hierarchy ' have got at it.

Len@374. So when Bill finally goes, who will you start blaming then?. Can't possibly be Our great owner,Moshiri. The worst owner in our history.

We really need clarity over Kenwright's actual involvement at our club (our club – not his). If it's just an ambassadorial role and him and Jen have their own bar tab, well good luck.

If he's still trying to give his input with his golden touch, three ground moves, numerous transfers and marketing decisions, then we as a fan base need an action group pronto before our nearest derby is Tranmere. That's not alarmist – it will happen, no matter who is manager.

Paul #372 spot on mate! A couple of players who can do what Reid and Gray did with the very young Kendall team in 1983-4. Don't worry about resell value because if they have the desired effect there will be young players who suddenly increase in value in the way that Southall,Rats,Steven,Stevens,Sharp and Heath all did once Gray and Reid got a hold of them and taught them how to stick up for themselves.
The trick will be getting the right older players- going by looks Allan will be one of them- looks a hard character from his photos!

Some good points on this thread,

Jerome is right, we shouldn't have been haggling over the 28m for the 22yr old Gabriel, just pay what we had agreed and try to get the deal done. Then stick at 18m for Allan. It is possible we were being played all along though and we were being used to flush out more preferred alternatives. If it was purely financial Ancelotti will be spitting feathers at the haggling and dithering that has caused us to lose out on the player.

Carlo wants Allan as his first signing and man on the pitch, Napoli know that and are taking full advantage.The Everton hierarchy are forced into a corner. That is why we're are being shagged senseless over the fee and paying 28m for an 18m player.

Maybe there is a compromise to be had with them taking Bernard as part payment or some other creative deal that would be acceptable to both sides. We have to trim the squad somehow and I am sure Brands is exploring it.

Another point was signing a younger midfielder to compliment Allan. Sangare or Santamaria. To me this sounds like the best strategy giving us specific experience and energy in the area we need it most.

Jerome - totally agree with all of that. Unfortunately Moshiri had his fingers burned and has gone from an initially ambitious owner to a cautious one, having seen how quickly the wheels can come off. So the unsuccessful approach of moderately priced £15m to £30m players with prem experience will probs be maintained to keep us steadily mid table until the stadium is built. In the meantime, more progressive (but smaller) clubs will build better sides. We'll therefore hover in that 6th to 10th zone for a while yet - and inevitably have to sell off stars as they emerge.

Blackpool finished 13th in League 1 last season. League 1 is the 3rd tier of English football.

Everton really are a very bad joke. The club is rotten to the core and, as I've stated many times before, the best way forward is relegation. Flush out the deadwood at all levels. Return to basics.

Next season will be another huge embarrassment – with fans hoping for salvation from transfer windows. It just won't work, as has been shown, season after season.

I realise my views are not popular, but I cannot see any other solution. Everton do not belong in the Premier League – we are the laughing stock of the league. It is quite possible that, in the Championship, we may start competing again, and show some spirit and fight.

Tony#380

I agree regarding Sangare and Santamaria, which have been on Sam Hoare list, for long enough, but didn't even register with Brands. I thought that Brands suffered from interference last Summer and was heartened to see a rumour that he was rebelling against interference , but is he actually controlling the purse strings this Summer in buying p!ayers. Complaining about deals being highjacked isn't Professional, that was my view as a negotiator, I just thought my negotiating skills needed to be better. In Brands case you have to be capable of doing the deals to fulfil the objectives. The talk of negotiating with Napoli on two fronts if true , is naive, especially with anything to do with Naples. The Italian press must just love Everton.

What actually is Brands strategy in this transfer window?Can anyone work it out. We know what Ancelottis objectives are.

There are good players out their at reasonable values , other teams are snapping them up,

Tony #380,

In my experience, going back on a negotiated deal really pisses people off.

Jerome.

I think you have got the wrong end of the stick, mate.

When Seamus talks about "High intensity" training, he is describing the sessions. He is letting us know it is intense.

He is not talking about a new method of training Carlo introduced which can take an athlete to new heights. Every team in the country are now training at high intensity.

If you think our current players will suddenly become powerful and athletic. You are in for a major disappointment. We are going to have to import that.

Seamus told us it's not exactly "eyeballs out" but most of the work is with the ball and they all know they have been in a session.

Carlo is a great coach and tactician, he is not a fitness trainer. Nor is he the guy who is responsible for bringing players in. He is relying on others to do their part in order for him to be able to do his.

David #385

Harder work than before. ?

There is a new Physical conditioning coach.

Rumours today that we've enquired about Tomori on a loan deal. It would be an interesting one if we could secure an option to buy clause.

I don't want us to be the feeder team for Chelsea's defence. Come to us for a year, get their confidence back and start playing well, then go back to improve Chelsea's defence and leave us back at square one after improving a competitors squad.

Tony 387, is he the one we were literally minutes from getting last summer until David Luiz decided to jump ship from Chelsea and join Arsenal?

Yes Rob, When they wouldn't sell us Zouma, it seems a loan for Tomori was discussed last year. He needs game time so I would suspect he will be off somewhere on loan.

I just hope we have an option to buy if we can develop him over the year into a quality long term partner for Mason Holgate. It could sort our central defence out for the long term, especially with the impressive Branthwaite ready to challenge and step in, maybe permanently in a couple of years time.

I can't stand it when we improve a player and the manager and staff put all the effort into it, just to give the player back. I hope we don't bother negotiating without such a clause.

Tomori scored a 40-yard scorcher at the start of last season but soon fell out of favour. I wouldn't do any business with them after they kept Zouma and left us high and dry.

Tomori was making mistakes, the sort that we have lambasted our own players for, so why should we be willing for a lad at the bottom of their pile, have game time for us?

We need real competition for places so we should go out and try to bring in a guy who is really going to put our other centre-halves under instant pressure. Mee, Tarkowski, Dunk or O'Connel.

Eddie, I would think Keane is better or on a similar level than all of them. They play in deep defences as Keane did and are stoppers.

We don't need to worry about centre-back for now, imo. We should worry about right-midfield and right-back, along with the obvious problem of centre-midfield. Hopefully we get players like Diatta and Tete on loan. And get Iwobi out of here.

Agree with Eddie, we have our own Tomoris already in the form of Brandthwaite and Gibson.

What we need is a Thiago Silva( I know we missed out on him but just making the point) to get them organized and motivated and someone like Allan in MF as a general.

You only have to see the effect Muller has on BAyern to realize the importance of experienced players.

There was a big difference in Zouma, Chelsea had just brought a new Manager in and also was faced with a transfer ban. You cannot blame Lampard for wanting to keep Zouma.

This season is a whole new ball game. Chelsea can sign players and boy are they taking advantage of the current climate.

Players are out there for a lesser fee, before the pandemic.

The full-back from Lille, we agreed a fee of £30 Million, then after the pandemic, we put an £18 Million bid in, which was knocked back and allowed other clubs the opportunity. With Everton refusing to pay a reduced fee of around £23 Million, had we our chance and blew it; only time will tell if we should have paid the £23 Million.

But there are other players out there, maybe we are worried about FFP, so what – go out and bring top class players in, what is the worst that can happen? A transfer ban for 12 Months, so what – we would already have the players signed for the following season to counteract that.

A 12-month expulsion from European competitions? Again, no worries here, a slap on the wrist and a fine or maybe points deduction. Again, if we bring those players in, they should more than make up any points deductions we may incur.

For the sake of standing still with our hands tied for that season, the bigger picture is we could have assembled a very strong team, ready the following season.

Other teams have exploited FFP; it is time Everton did the same, while players are available at a much lower prices.

(396)
Absolutely spot on Brian.

So who did the negotiating ?.. Sorry who answered to whom? I mean shall we say did Brands suddenly goet a sudden rush of 'Thrift'?

More importantly, if the price came aaall the way down from £30M to £23M, why would there then be an impasse?? FFS, I would call it a Covid God-send.

Oh! Got it now – the man at the 'helm', the man who Kronke, Man Utd, FSG and all the Grade 1 Professional Sports Businessmen couldn't hold a candle to... Why, of course! It was none other than the Greatest Blue on Earth.

Paul 377. Kenwright is statistically the worst owner in our history. He's presided over the longest period this club has gone without winning a trophy.

He's still Chairman. The same patterns emerge now as ever was under his full ownership.

The guy is a chancer. He's been the worst thing to happen to this club. He's managed a gradual decline due to having no money and no football business strategy to grow the club, during the growth of the Premier League.

He's a grade A-tool to boot.

Paul #377

I'm sorry that I can't answer your question because at 70, I'll probably have curled my toes up before Kenwright does a moonlight. He has it set in stone apparently that – no matter how many £billionaires we bankrupt looking for glory – he will still be sat there like Buddha overseeing his kingdom.

Does he ever take any responsibility for the crap this well supported club have had to endure over the years, other than the odd rumour about who came in for the club but were turned away by him to protect his toy I am not savvy to what goes on in the boardroom so I don't know if any of his Moshiri nest egg he has accumulated by selling his shares is invested back in the club or is he on a free ride for the rest of his life.

So who do we blame after Kenwright goes? Well, I assume it will be his head in the glass box switched on before every game so he can wax lyrical about Dixie, Alex, Roy, Brian, Alan, Howard and Colin to anyone who puts a tenner in the slot.

Ray #370, good 'un. As usual.

Robert #373, I've never seen an unmotivated Gana. Not for one second in 108 appearances for us, no matter who he had around him. I'd worry about wear and tear, perhaps, but motivation? Him? Never.

Jay, all three posts were brilliant, so don't worry about it, but do please get that clicking finger checked for spasms.

David #385, agree, although today's standard for fitness training is that much of it takes place in the off-season.

Len #374, since you asked, it was Harry Truman.

If Richarlison is sold just before the transfer window closes with no time to buy a replacement, then nothing has really changed at Everton.

Since we have had a Director of Football, apart from Gueye, we just seem to pay a lot of money for squad players from Arsenal or Man City and are still linked with Man Utd's English players that were never that good but in the squad and got the odd game for England.

Len, do you think when we move to Bramley-Moore Dock and we do the Goodison project, we will have a bench in the far corner with a plaque?

"Bill Kenwright used to stand in the Boys Pen here, with a bicycle mounted on a stand, with the famous crossbar and flat cap, in memory of Uncle Cyril."

Brian #396, we have already exploited FFP.

USM Finch Farm.

£30m for the naming rights to a stadium which at best is still 3 years away.

I know that most will laugh but here goes anyway:

Edinson Cavani available on a free still only 33, would teach Calvert-Lewin loads and would provide a different attacking dimension. I think Ancelotti may have worked with him briefly at PSG. Has a better than 1:2 throughout his career.

Okay, wages would be horrendous but worth a shout.

A grade A fool, who has took thousands for fools, I might add PA.

Mike, I also have to defend Gana, his motivation never seemed to falter. He is a simple player and does what he is best at very well, and all day long. He is part of the engine of a midfield, doing the dirty work efficiently so others can shine. He is 31 now, but it wouldn't surprise me if he had another 2-3 years at near his maximum performances level. His physique and movement lend themselves to it.

Interesting what Steven Gerrard said when being asked about dropping Alfredo Morelos at the weekend. "I only want players who are hungry for the shirt"

Various Everton players came to mind.

We are totally lacking a defensive midfielder, Allan fits the bill, and when is 29 too old, he's a massive upgrade on what we have.

Christy,

Totally agree. Age is not an issue, ability is.

I commented that 20 players who have played in Friday's Europa League Final were all over 30 and, in case anyone forgets, the 2 best players in the world are both over 30.

I've only seen one little clip of Allan, Christy, but he takes it on the edge of his opponent's box, with his back to goal, turns and smashes it into the top corner like a seasoned centre-forward. Just the type of clever defensive footballer we need!

Jay, I'd say the 3 best with Lewandowski as #3.

55 goals in 47 games at that level is just... ridiculous.

15 in 10 in the Champions League is insane.

And he's 32.

There's life in us old dogs yet, Mike.

What is it they say old age and cunning will overcome youth and energy.

Ancelotti being a superb player himself at AC, knows how toothless our midfield is, and after managing Allan, he knows what he brings, enough said. This haggling has cost us in the past, whether it's Brands or Kenwright negotiating, do the deal, we don't want another Iwobi and Delph fiasco.

Just came across a 3-minute clip of every touch that Yannick Bolasie had on Saturday. He looked fit and fast, committed and got away one fierce left-foot shot that the keeper saved. He tracked back and worked okay with our new left-back, Niels Nkoukou.

If you want to find it search Yannick Bolasie return for Everton v Blackpool. He seemed like a new player!

Jay, it was my dad's favorite saying: "Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill."

David, thanks for the Bolasie info.

David, I saw that too. He was good, still is better than 'I can't dribble" Iwobi" and I am finished "Walcott"

Forgot to say the clip is on YouTube!

Mike,
You nailed it.

At my age I need to remember that.

Jay and Mike, there is life after 30. Last night, this 59-year-old scored from my own box. Hoofed it into the air hoping someone would get a flick on it, for their keeper to be undone by the skiddy bounce in the wet and in it went.

Won 2-1 and I was holding court in the pub later, looking very smug.

Congratulations, Eddie!

Link, please......

Mike, unfortunately the server is down!

We have apparently now agreed a fee for Allan at £31.5M.

A bit steep, imo, for a 29-year-old - but let's hope that he can do what is required for us and provide the lynchpin for a resurgent midfield.

Mike #400,

But not all training regimes are the same.

Allan is the right player Everton need in midfield, but Everton have paid more than they should, when compared to progressive Clubs.

Mike #348,

It's about control, rather than ownership of shares.

We are so entirely useless in midfield that Allan will be under immediate pressure to do well if we can bring him here. We are completely and utterly desperate for some new faces, more than I can I ever remember.

Don't worry Eddie, I'm sending Baddiel and Skinner next week to do the reconstruction mate, god knows we could do with a little laugh if only to take our minds off Everton!

Age & treachery Mike, I hope there is plenty of that behind Carlo's calm outward demeanour!

Let's hope if true, that Allan, is the first of a series of quality signings, but whom are needed, pdq, as they'll have no effective time to bed in.

To get players who bed in quick, has been very rare at EFC, the last few years.

Hope eternal at EFC.

Two posts sum up our current state for me:

Steve Ferns at 14:59:33
. and we've just kicked off.
Steve Ferns at 15:00:58
and we're behind!

Can't see Ancelotti, Richarlison or Digne sticking around if we don't add quality to the squad.

We need at least two in the middle and a right back and if I'm pushed, a veteran striker to provide options to Calvert-Lewin and Kean who will undoubtedly blow hot and cold.

Kenwright is a con man. A theatrical luvvie who has not put a single penny of his own money into EFC. His so-called love for Everton is simply based on rose-tinted nostalgia.

This Boys Pen propaganda for instance is nonsensical. I'm 67 and attended 'The Pen' religiously. I was in it the day we beat Fulham to lift the title in '63. It was a dreadful place.

You could hardly see, you were caged in. Although I was raised in Kirkdale accustomed to streetlife, older tougher kids always got the best specs. Protests were met with swift retribution. It wasn't a pleasant experience at all.

The relief I felt, when as a rite of passage I graduated into the ground as a fully fledged Gladys St Gladiator, was sheer ecstacy. At last, perched on a barrier, I could actually see all the players and both goals.

How Kenwright can wax lyrical about the Boys Pen is beyond me. Judging by his manner now, I very much doubt, as a kid, that he would have lasted five minutes there.

The fee we pay for a player does not concern me. It has never altered the price of my seat or my tea and sausage roll. It's the player's performance that counts. Players aren't responsible or accountable for what the club pay for them. That accountability lies with the management.

If Allan can do the job, then his age-related fee is immaterial. I hope that his signing is followed by a strong proven experienced goalscorer, a confident central defender and most importantly, a dependable goalkeeper.

These signings needn't cost the earth, but would create a spine, right down the middle of our team. The backbone of success.

Sky sports saying Spurs have made a last minute bid for Allan, and he is flying to London for a medical today.

Has kenwright made a statement
to the fans yet,as he is supposedly
one of us. (???!!!).
Or are we not worthy.

If I was in a similar position to any of the board members and I was an avid Evertonian, how could I possibly do nothing but watch on passively, year on year, as the performances grow sickeningly regressive? I tend to agree with Michael Kenrick, Moshiri is purely the money guy and Bill is the football guru.

Money first, football second – it's probably always been like that but few appoint themselves as the greatest blue of all time.

Bill is 75 next month – when will he deem it the right time to retire? Mind you, Little Miss Dynamite will likely replace him in the hot-seat.

You read some things and think: What planet is this journalist on? Just read that Moise Kean is going to be sent back to Juventus for a year to play in their B team. Now how does this make any sense for Everton?

If he went and struggled, then the offers from other Italian clubs would be minimal. If he was a success and he got in the Juventus first team, the player would probably want to stay. And you can bet your boots Juventus would offer a lot less than we paid for him. Plus we get nothing to spend in this window – and how much of his salary would we be paying?

I see Geoff in post 430 is saying Sky Sports News are reporting Spurs have made a late bid for Allan. I think if we were to miss out on another Ancelotti target, it will really start to get worrying. All the talk was that Allan had told Napoli he only wanted to join Ancelotti, so it would be incredible if he didn't sign.

Let's hope that after this poor UK weather drops, Storm Francis, that they'll be some real time, proper positive news from EFC, regards incoming and outgoing players.

To be a fly on the wall at Finch Farm and get the gist of the reality of what's happening this preseason.

If true about Spurs' swoop for Allan, I hope we have a Plan B and C in place. That's what professional clubs do who have no-nonsense chairmen and owners. Delete where appropriate.

I don't think Levy, the Spurs chairman, will give the nod to his club paying £31.5M for Allan.

If Kenwright is the football guru, we are completely fucked.

He hasn't got a clue about football.

Reel 'em in Geoff

I agree Brian at 433, if this God forbid, happens, it would set up a very bad situation, for EFC, at all levels through out the club and no more so for the supporters.

Let's see if this week, there's some genuine good news coming through the media, as the club is staying stum.

Hopefully, preseason concerns and tensions can be eased, very soon.

We need some good news.

Tony (426),

Yes, we could all do with a laugh, but Baddiel and Skinner? If you want a laugh, think of Kenwright being serious, he'll have you in stitches.

Eddie #20 VAR is reviewing it.

Patrick - don't even mention that succession planning theory even in jest. Most of us would only need a slight nudge to push us over the edge after the last 30 years and I suspect that would be it for me.

Allan going to Tottenham? Probably Napoli trying to squeeze every last drop of blood out of us for the player leaking this shite.

Even if it were true, which I highly doubt, I wouldn't be too bothered losing a player who would do that at the last moment. There are plenty of alternatives out there who would actually want to wear and fight for the shirt and that, to me, is a better outcome.

This saga has gone on long enough. We need to resolve now and move on to the next business, which I hope is done a bit more efficiently.

I don't think Kenwright could ever make me laugh Dave - not even at him, but I was thinking of putting him in goal, watching him slip whilst “Eddie's hoof!” goes sailing over his head.

“What happened there, Bill”? “Sorry boys it's not my fault I brought the wrong boots, I've got my old traineys on, the ones with the holes in. You all know the story by now.”

Brian #402,

When we move to Bramley-Moore Dock that could be the end of Kenwright. He will be at Goodison Park every day mooching about in the rubble looking for things that remind him of 60 odd years ago and put them in his supermarket trolley.

Tears will be flowing as he looks for the threepenny bit he dropped in the Boys Pen in 1956.

Who would have thought that Uncle Cyril and his bike could end up wrecking the club he held so dearly?

Not seen anything linking Spurs with Allan. But it's mostly all smoke and mirrors anyway.

I reckon Allan will come to us but, if not, I'd be happy enough with Doucore and Sangare. I think two midfielders, a mixture of youth and experience, a mixture of ball-winner and goalscorer or provider would be good. Both should be athletic and energetic though.

Len (445), that's what I mean about Kenwright being serious, he's absolutely hilarious.

That story, told by Billy himself, was actually about his uncle Cyril taking him to Anfield on his bike, then Billy was handed UP the Kop to where uncle Cyril was waiting for him, “Handed up the Kop”? I've seen thousands of kids, over the years, being handed down the Kop; never, ever seen one handed up. The man just reels them off without even thinking.

He had thousands on the Kop literally laughing at him when he gave a speech at one of the Hillsborough memorials, talking about when he was at Anfield with 10,000 other Everton fans for Dave Hickson's debut on the night he played for Liverpool versus Aston Villa.

Night? It was an afternoon kick-off at 2:45 pm,

Oh, and as Jimmy Cricket would say “There's more” – lots more... and all a load of bullshit.

Spurs will not bid more than us. If the player doesn't want to play for Everton or is unsure, move on to our next target.

Some clubs, red neighbours, Man City, Spurs, Chelsea, get linked to a player and within 48 hours it's a done deal or they never show any interest.

We (although we're not alone in this) make bids, have a chat, arrange everything, ie, flights, medicals etc, and still take weeks to finalise deals. I can't remember the last time we just bought someone without any leaks and whispers unless it's transfer deadline day.

Why is it always like this?

Sky Sports saying "Doucouré and Sangare signing for Spurs today."

Justin:

Because we are no longer a top team and almost certainly have a reputation for wishing to string out payment periods and tend to go back to renegotiate when the deal is done (or believed to be so).

Justin – why is it always like this? Ask Boys Pen Bill, The Great Saviour... the one and only constant through all the drudgery, mishaps and mayhem.

If people don't think this meddlesome parasite, who has literally taken us for everything both on and off the pitch, is involved in some form or another, they need to give their heads a shake.

All of this was entirely predictable and predicted well before the transfer window opened. And like I've said until I'm blue in the face, until he and his cronies are cleared out and a professional management team is put in place, then nothing will change.

Nick; I don't think Boys Pen Bill is entirely to blame these days over transfer' ruptures'. I was told by a very informed source that Brands does all the negotiations 'within parameters set by the Board'.

Having said that, there are certain clubs in every country who insist on chair/ president to chair discussions on any major transfers.

As I said above, I believe we have a reputation as hard to deal with.

Geoff - Spurs also in for Richarlison, Digne and Holgate. Players plus cash deal to subsidise our £150m pursuit of top target Serge 'red card' Aurier.

Spurs in for Allan sounds like pure bull. They had to borrow £100 million from the Bank of England to survive the Covid-19 pandemic, none of which can be spent on players.

Probably a rumour planted by Napoli or Allan's agent to raise interest or get a bidding war underway. If it is true, then move on, like we did with Gabriel. We wasted two summers trying to sign Sigurdsson and Zouma, followed by terrible seasons as a result.

There is plenty of value out there, so if clubs like Lille, Watford and Napoli want to dig their heels in, then move on quickly.

I just cant understand some of the comments: Is Everton in the Champions League? Is Everton in the Europa League? Is Everton doing good in the Premier League?

So do explain to me why should Everton sign top players in a blink?

I would ask a question to whoever reads this, would you like to scrap the garbage of elite/top players? Or go for 2nd level players who are young and can get to the level above?

In other words, do you want Allan, James or Benrahma, Buendia?

Who from booth sets can grew? Who would cost us more? Who would fail to expectations? Does Everton scout in Championship? (To find the next Tim Cahill.)

Does Everton scout U-17, U-19, U-20 tournaments? Or do they just watch high profile leagues, players, games? Along with a bunch of other scouts?

Don't worry, folks... the headline: 'Spurs in for Allan' is actually a bid for Allan Pardew; they've finally had enough of Jose's whining and whingeing!

Geoff Lambert @449,

You are a very, very naughty boy!!!

In other news. I see we've also missed out on re-signing Jagielka & Jack Rodwell – both of whom have signed 1-year contracts at Sheffield Utd (who I believe finished above us).

On the plus side, we STILL have Mo Besic – who must have signed something like an 8-year contract when he joined us – and comedy winger, Yannick Bolasie.

Brian! Just trying my hand at sports journalism.

Make up a story and Bill's your uncle!

Against my better judgement, I let myself get drawn in again to the annual transfer fiasco and did a search on all these major signings completed in 48 hours by Premier League teams. Erm.... Where are they all then?
Chelsea have done ok to sign 2 decent players and spurs have grabbed 2 already – one who we were linked with but most of us didn't want, and Joe Hart.

I did note, and didn't know before now, that Brighton have signed Adam Lalana from Lalaland but I can't see any evidence of Everton being any better nor worse in our dealings.

I don't follow other clubs so when they sign someone it's usually a surprise whereas with us I'm aware of who we are rumoured to be linked with so maybe that's why these deals seem long drawn out affairs?

I'm staying chilled and I'm actually looking forward to seeing Carlo's team this next season – one behind closed doors, multi substitutes running out – does not concern me one jot.

Sky "Reds" influencers will do anything to get Everton to pay out more.

Don't think we'll fall for it.

One good thing since Ancelotti is here, no sentimental signings rumours in the pipeline as Kenwright has no chance of saying Carlo is wrong in his assessment.

Kenwright is up against the Jeff Bezos of football management, and Carlo is right more often than wrong over many years in football, so by October we should have a better squad for next season.

2 or 3 permanent signings, and I'd like to see a further 2 "smart" loans in to push top 4 or 5. Based on Carlo's history, it's not out of the question to do and transform a squad in one season, meaning not a 0% chance of doing it. I think there is a chance he can do it with this transfer window.

Mark @460 - you are spot on. There has been almost no meaningful business in the Premier League so far.

Man City – Ake and Torres (cover at centre-back and midfield) plus a teenage right-back sent straight out on loan to Belgium

Liverpool – Tsimikas (cover at left-back)

Spurs – vindictive signing of Hojbjerg (purely to piss us off even though we didn't want him)

Arsenal – Willian (and probably Gabriel but they could still get gazumped by PSG)

Chelsea – Werner and Ziyech

Sheff Utd – Ramsdale to replace the probably superior Henderson

Southampton – Salisu (bit of a shame as he looked a good fit for us at low cost) and an average right-back in Kyle Walker-Peters

That's about it. There are lots of excellent players still available. We will get about 3 in, but it'll take a few weeks as buyers, sellers and agents are slowly forced to play their hand.

Robert, I think Walker-Peters is a super young player. Against Man City he was top drawer and up against some brilliant players. He makes poor Jonjoe Kenny look like Hibbo on Mogodon.

Even if we agree a fee for Allan. Rumour has it he might fail the medical as he has an out of line knuckle on his little finger. Just sayin...

Fair enough, Eddie. You've probably seen more of him than I have. I just saw a fairly diligent player with pace but very limited with the ball.

For what it's worth, the England set-up seem to disagree with you, giving more caps and captaincy to Jonjoe. Transfermarkt also rates Jonjoe higher (in value) too.

Like I say, I've not really seen enough but sceptical there's much distance between the two.

Even so, my point is more generally to echo that of Mark – being that we're not unusually slow to make our move. The signings will come.

Think I would take Fraiser, previously at Bournemouth, decent on the ball can play wingback. Or right-wing. On a free. Not spectacular, I know... but a work-horse and quite nippy.

Before we had Moshiri money, Bill overseen the medicals and if it was above the Arteta money, he would slighly stand on the players foot, then say "Look, he's limping, think we had better swerve this player."

He wallows out his diehard Evertonian, but as soon as money flashes in front of his eyes, he is happy to deck out in a Liverpool kit in the Liver birds, slating Everton off.

Okay, only acting but thankfully Bill Dean and Ken Jones never sold their soul and insisted being know as Evertonians, no matter what they appeared in.

Clive Rodgers 437, you don't even come close. Every big call he has had to make has either failed or been totally mediocre. That's why he adores the Moyes's of this world, when he wasn't questioned.

I heard that Riquelme did turn up all those years ago and actually signed on a 2 year deal with an option for a third. But Bill had only given him a pencil and rubbed out the signature after he left.

Same thing happened, year-in & year-out (Davor Sukur, Guti, Kluivert) until Yakubu turned up with his own Mont Blanc fountain pen that Mark Viduka got him for Christmas. Blew the rouse. True story.

Eddie 463, I too have liked what I have seen of Walker-Peters since footy resumed. I thought it was excellent business from Southampton getting him – and £10 million? for Højbjerg, who was entering his final year. I think the Saints will have a strong season.

Yup, I'd take Walker-Peters over Kenny too I think. Looked very decent when I saw him last season. So hard to be a successful modern full-back in the Premier League without some decent pace, though there are exceptions as always.

Francesco Mauri -Physical Conditioning Coach, Everton.

Everton's players are being encouraged to adopt competitive mindsets in their trio of friendlies ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti's team have precious little time to prepare for 2020-21 – international fixtures early in September will encroach on an already reduced four-week pre-season – and, after reporting back to work on Sunday, players were fast-tracked on to their familiar training programmes.

Everton would ordinarily begin match practice five-to-six weeks prior to their opening league game.

But, in this strangest of years, the Blues' first pre-season action, against League One Blackpool on Saturday, falls three weeks before top-flight football gets under way.

Head of Physical Conditioning Francesco Mauri, then, is underlining the imperative of treating the game at Bloomfield Road as if points are at stake – even if the Italian reckons investing all-out effort is the way to go in any friendly encounter.

Everton are due to travel to Blackburn Rovers on 1 September and will arrange one additional non-competitive game, with Mauri conceding confirmation of international football's return to the calendar before the Premier League kicks off heightened the complexity of devising this pre-season campaign.

“Normally, we try to push the players to play a friendly match like a normal game” Mauri told evertonfc. com.

“If you don't, it can be very dangerous.

“Maybe your opponent will play strongly and if you are not ready to play strong there is a big risk of injury.

“You have to be strong in the tackle and not underestimate these kinds of games.

“Training intensity on the days before the game depends on playing time, you have to consider if you plan to have two different teams and, usually, in the first game, we plan for each player to play no more than 45 minutes.

“Every game is very stressful [on the body] and that includes friendly games.

“It is not ideal that we have the international games but it is the same for all teams – or worse for those who only just stopped playing [Manchester City and Manchester United's European campaigns finished last weekend].

“If you see the Champions League, it is pretty clear the teams who had the chance to have a break, the German and French teams, had a lot of advantages [the semi-finalists comprised two sides each from Germany and France].

“I was 100 per cent sure it was better to go into that competition after a break… and the picture shows the French and German teams are much fitter than all the others.

“In England, all the teams were very tired after playing nine games in five weeks to complete last season, then we had only three weeks break.

“It was important for the players to rest. Three weeks is not a period when you will lose condition after the heavy schedule we had. "

Mauri and his fellow fitness coaches, along with manager Ancelotti and the Club's medical team, reached a unanimous decision to resume a recognisable training pattern in the opening phase of pre-season.

Besides retaining intensity, there is a notable onus on ensuring sessions are fresh and invigorating.

Mauri this week disclosed an area filled with sand at USM Finch Farm would feature in a number of players' exercises routines.

Formerly on Ancelotti's backroom teams at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Napoli, Mauri has every group and individual session he's overseen stored on a computer library.

The data Mauri has logged on Everton's training ground since coming with his compatriot last December gave him a head start in readiness for pre-season, as opposed to eight months ago when he began from scratch.

“The GPS [Global Positioning System] and cardio data are helpful for me and all the guys who work with me, " said Mauri.

“You can compare today's session with a session before the break and understand where the players are; if you can push more the next day, or if you have to give some rest.

“With this technology it is very helpful for the physical staff to have data and videos – to consider these things together when planning the sessions.

“I have all the training I did in my life on my laptop.

“I like to find similar players [he worked with at previous clubs] to understand if I can use certain stimulus with the players I am training now.

“It is important to save everything and I have a lot of video.

“If you have a big library of your exercises, you can always use it – or just change something – to create new exercises. ”

Can't wait until Mauri's laptop mysteriously catches fire at Finch Farm and he loses all his data on the squad. Everton That.

I'm playing catch-up, back on comment 295!

But there's a lot of relegation chat earlier in this thread.

The only way we get relegated is if the perfect shit-storm occurs:

No new signings
Richarlison gets seriously injured
Digne gets seriously injured
a midfielder gets injured leaving us short of central players

That's it. Ain't gonna happen.

Knocking on wood.

Dude, the reading. Exhausting.

If Allan signs for Spurs, it's like, "one came out of the north end of a southbound horse."

Mike Gaynes I've never heard that expression before, and I absolutely love it. Clearly your time reading all these Scouse quips is starting to finally rub off and pay dividends.

Jamie, I've had that one in my pocket for years. Use it in good health.

Wish all these transfer sagas where over, it's like 'The Hierarchy' are trying to numb us into submission. They can't cock things up anymore, surely.

Only been there a week or so, Koeman, and Messi puts in a transfer request! :-)

Brian @ 478, Koeman's as charming as ever!

Sky Sports News reporting Everton closing in on James Rodriguez. Over to our correspondent on the scene Geoff Lambert @ 459.

We played a couple of months of pre-season friendlies after lockdown, at least it looked like they were pre-season friendlies.

The apathy and lethargy in this squad is pathetic, I can't see us finishing top half of the table. Our midfield is far too pedestrian to play 4-4-2, they will get overrun in most games.