10 reasons to be cheerful in 2022

Interesting to hear that some of the Brands youth are shaping up. I heard mixed views on TW, but I felt he had his wings clipped as DoF and then got served up on a sacrificial plate...

He showed the usual respect to his employers so we don't get to hear his take on things.

If Moshiri is really backing Rafa, and Bill can't stick his oar in, and the club review is carried out properly, we may well see a positive outcome.

Here's hoping!

We are 6 months away from dumping a fair amount of wages on lads that don't deliver, so some well-thought Bosman signings could be on the cards too.

If we could unload Holgate and Mina and promote Branthwaite and bring Ginter in on a Bosman, we'd be doing well.

I know some have been against Benitez from the very start; I agree he seems to have more clout and not accepting not doing it his way.

With the lack of spending and bad luck on the injury front, this is where we will see if Benitez will improve our football style, with better players coming back into the team. If he brings a right back in, then at least it is a start of addressing one of the problems.

I have been in the Benitez camp; all that could change in the next year or so, but for now, he will have my full support.

Happy New Year to you, sir!

I hope that the club will wipe the slate clean, and start clean and fresh in 2022, all matters considered.

Hopefully the slow road back to professionalism, consistency and standards on and off the park, will start to emerge.

The internal power struggle if is the case, must be resolved and build a future for Everton FC.

This means success on the park, and there will be winners and losers as is always the case, within the EFC boardroom.

But a new year and fresh hope, and regardless of the lack of success on the park, TW, is regardless of people's views, all respected, a great place to debate and discuss all matters EFC.

Happy Hogmanay, New Year, 2022, to all Evertonians, and let's embrace the challenges we face in life and all matters Everton FC, and battle to be successful and stay well.

“Whats Our Name?”

🍺👍⚽️🥃🍀⚽️⚽️⚽️🙏🏼

Maybe a Happy New Year present to us all? could we put ourselves down for more 'Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll'...and while I'm at it, could somebody hit our Mid-Field with a 'Rhythm Stick', because it needs something.

Oh and we could do with a 'Clever Trevor' on the right too.

So; to sum up 'The Moshiri Years' so far - 'What a Waste'.

It's been a long time since we were 'England's Glory'...who can say it won't start with a small step in the right direction in the new year

I tend to agree (without inside knowledge), that if Brands' stamp on the club was the restructuring of the academy to accelerate the progress and development of young players, then he achieved something even if we don't see the benefits for a season or two. Alongside that and clever use of the loan system, hopefully we'll see some of this potential establish itself. The recent Chelsea model is a good example, but that was put in place several years ago, it didn't happen overnight. If you recall, I'm particularly hopeful for Lewis Warrington.

A shame about Digne, but sometimes it doesn't harm player or club to freshen things up and change it. Providing we've done our homework and the replacement is suitable, it could prove good business. I'm also glad we seem to be able to move in the market again. I don't know if it's a low cost approach, but it certainly needs to be a value approach - Mr Moshiri must surely have learned his lesson? The Leipzig model is a good one for a club trying to establish itself and they came from a much lower position than we are now. They didn't squander, they spent their new found riches wisely. All hindsight, but that's how we should have been operating. Maybe there's still time for a reset.

I'm getting more impressed with Gordon every time I see him, but let's still be patient with him. That includes not raging and foaming when he is left out. Let the coaches and managers manage his continued development. Likewise with Branthwaite. I'd not seen a lot of him, but heard and respected the views of those who had and he didn't disappoint. But patience; let's not do a Park End John Stones on the lad - he's years away from hitting peak as a centre back and will make mistakes. I'd still like to see experience and someone comfortable driving the team higher alongside him if he is to become a regular. An undiscovered Rudiger must be out there somewhere? I do get jealous of his rampaging runs out of defence. The midfield has no option but to get ahead of him.

Final note on the manager. Not wanted, continues to be disliked by many and will never be accepted by some. But maybe, just maybe, the ruthless, thick skinned, emotionally detached B'stard is what the has been needed to give this club the kick up the arse it has long required. I know where I hope his next sights are targeted, as he seems to be operating like a sniper on range day.

Of course we have reason to be cheerful for 2022. Wembley in May and Europe next season. If I can't get a ticket, see you in the Green Man. I hope we get that end, I don't like the other one.

And New Year is a time to be hopeful. The writing may be on the wall but the future isn't written yet either!
(Love a good jumbled aphorism or five )

I'd like to wish peace and prosperity for 2022 to every... almost everyone on here. You can include or exclude yourself to taste.

Thanks again for the hopeful piece Robert. But as Evertonians well know - it's the hope that kills you.

I think top 7 is out of the equation even at this early stage, 6 points deficit is a tall order to make up on Man.Utd and Spurs.
Being realistic it's not going to happen.

If two or three of our signings come together we should atleast push Wolves and Leicester for 8th/9th at best but I think we will have to put a couple of mini runs winning three on the bounce or something to that effect, not seen since the opening few fixtures.

12th is my prediction. Yet again the summer transfer window will point to which direction the club is heading towards.

Reason to be cheerful? Difficult one, has to be a change of structure at board level, Kenwright still has to go along with DBB.

For me the key component will be the introduction and development of young players and I hope the Manager and his staff will be committed to this philosophy. Please no more end of career players enjoying a final pay day.

Happy New year to all, but remember we are not out of the woods yet and a healthy injury free new year will have an important bearing on our finishing position.

Any manager who comes to Everton has a big task in signing the players that they actually want, rather than signing compromises. One of the biggest things that will make me cheerful in 2022 is that Benitez signs two or three players in January who make an impact to the first team. Then again in in the summer. More than anything I want to see a quality young energetic tenacious central midfielder come in. Benitez will be looking for the next Xabi Alonso in Spain for us. I want this quality young midfielder to be the priority in the summer.

Also, if not more, what a buzz it is when the young players show they can do it at the top table. Just writing about Branthwaite and Gordon makes me feel excited about the future. They will both need time and patience to become consistent performers but both these players look like they have the mentality to succeed. There must be a lot of clubs looking in in envy that we have these two.

The other players you mention all have chances to make it
as well. Add Stanley Mills to the list of ones to watch. The u18s could go far in he FA youth cup next year too, I'd recommend more tuning in to watch. I really enjoyed watching them trying to play it out from the back and be technical as well as playing with aggression and intensity. It makes me think there is some decent progress too behind the scenes at younger levels.

My dad had heart failure a few days before Christmas, so I've been in and out of Fazakerley hospital non stop this last week, back again today. He's pulled through it though and maybe getting discharged tomorrow and I'll be caring for him for a few weeks. The doctors, nurses and staff there are just awe inspiring how they are coping and caring for people, understaffed and under pressure.

So thanks for this article Robert, it's a tonic.

Thanks for the various comments everyone. And thanks to Lyndon and Michael for creating this opportunity to have these virtual chats. It has kept me going in lieu of those 5 minute breaks with colleagues here and there during the Pandemic. An antidote to the stress and boredom of a daily grind in the home office.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year (and an against-the-odds FA Cup victory) in 2022. 👍

It's a long way to Wembley Stadium, for the Greatest team I know
wirrout yer kecks on...

I haven't even got the ale to blame for that! but it's about time we went to Wembley again.
Hope springs eternal and this year I hope we have a much better year for our families, our friends, our club and our country.

Robert's article,has set a tone and many contributors have added to it. I don't think we're far away from becoming a good side. I think we've all wanted to see the young lads and they've not let us down. I believe our manager will bring in better players to add to the good ones we've got. I think (hope!!!) that the present power of the board is being challenged. It's a way to go, yet but I think this is the long awaited start of our rise.
Thanks again Robert for inspiring us.

PS, Tony (20) I was thinking of us finding the next Peter Reid, but Xabi Alonso'd do!

I'm expecting the playing side to be a lot more positive in the New Year and hopefully a good run in the FA cup to go along with improving results in the league to give us all a lot more cheerful outlook as the season moves on.

I agree with many of the sentiments you express, there are green shoots, there are reasons to be hopeful. However, we are going to have to play a blinder to come out of this mess, the ducks need to line up. Blooding Branthwaite, Gordon, Onyango and Dobbin seems to be a necessity now the money has gone, let's build with these guys in mind. A couple of astute young, hungry players to come in and further shifting of dead wood is also required. Above all we need some luck with injuries and for us to get behind Rafa the Gaffa.

Lastly, just a word for Tony. Sorry to hear about your family difficulties this Christmas, wishing your father a speedy return to health in 2022 bud.

I expect our results to improve but we need to be realistic about how much can be achieved in the short term. We will not be anywhere near competing with the top six clubs until the manager is able to build a squad to implement successfully the playing system he wants. That will take a couple of years.

In the meantime patience will be required. From what I have seen most supporters attending matches have that.

Let's sing them all on 14th May at Wembley.