Capitulation

From the standpoints of morale and goal difference alone, this has the potential to be a costly result. Frank Lampard's biggest job this week could simply be keeping morale up

Lyndon Lloyd 07/03/2022 109comments  |  Jump to last
Tottenham Hotspur 5 - 0 Everton

Frank Lampard didn’t sugarcoat anything in his post-match press conference to the Sky Sports cameras after another truly horrific Everton performance to add to the 2021-22 catalogue. He blamed the obvious individual mistakes, spoke of players abandoning their positions and singled out Anthony Gordon as the only player who could emerge from this 5-0 humiliation by Spurs with any real credit.

The manager also hinted at how the scale of the problems in the team he inherited are “becoming clear to me more every day” and the fact that only a couple of the other players didn’t just give up gave him “food for thought going forward”. Anyone who watched the match will have an idea of which players he was referring to but, in truth, Lampard was right that only Gordon earned his corn on a desperately poor evening for Everton and one, we can only hope, won’t prove too damaging in the long run.

Because, from the standpoints of morale and goal difference alone, this has the potential to be a costly result. The Blues came into the match with a one-goal edge on Burnley in terms of goal difference and left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium four goals worse off having failed to even register a shot on target. Indeed, in Lampard’s three away matches so far, the team is averaging one effort on goal every 90 minutes.

Much of that is down to mentality, of course. 3-0 was bad enough at half-time but the game was dead within 40 seconds of the start of the second half when Sergio Reguilon drove the ball past Pickford to make it four. At that point, Everton were well beaten thanks to a combination of fairly naive tactics, calamitous defending, a rare goalkeeping error from Jordan Pickford and the deadly finishing of Son Hueng-Min and Harry Kane.

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If Lampard has been keen to impress on his new charges that they are better side than either results of the rhetoric of his predecessor would have led them to believe, that has been reflected in his team’s posture at the start of each of the matches since he took charge five weeks ago. Unfortunately, the manager has to take his share of the blame for a suicidally high line that played into his central-defensive pairing’s key weaknesses and Tottenham’s strengths in transition.

Indeed, the way Spurs picked Everton off in the first half was somewhat embarrassing, although Lampard surely wouldn’t have factored in such poor defending from some very experienced personnel or the clumsy own goal that Michael Keane scored in the 14th minute. It was the nadir of a woeful display by the one-time England international and it was no surprise that he was hauled off at half-time in favour of Jarrad Branthwaite. Seamus Coleman, captain and, therefore, de jure leader of the team wasn’t much better; two of his poor passes led to goals.

Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to offer very little, Richarlison and Gordon toiled with little reward while the midfield three of Donny van de Beek, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucourè failed to provide the kind of defensive cover required against this level of opponent. If the defeats at Newcastle and Southampton showed anything, it was the need to revert to more of a compact low block away from home and concentrate on being hard to beat. If anything, Everton were the opposite.

The early signs from Everton had been positive, though, as they took the game to Tottenham but without unduly threatening Antonio Conte's side and the danger inherent with as high a line as the Blues were was signalled after just 10 minutes when Son was played into the clear behind the defence but Gordon had tracked back superbly to take the ball off the South Korean's toes before he could shoot.

The warning wasn't heeded, though, and Everton conceded twice in quick succession leaving them with a mountain to climb. First, Ryan Sessegnon powered beyond Seamus Coleman in the 14th minute and centred hard towards the near post where Keane turned the ball into his net before Kane could try and get a boot on it.

Then, three minutes later, the visitors' were carved open with ease down the centre where Kane's pass to Dejan Kulusevski was knocked through the middle to Son and he swept the ball under Pickford who was stranded but should have done better than to allow it to slide under his arm,

Matt Doherty then found himself in on the goalkeeper in the 28th minute but this time Pickford was more than equal to the task and he parried the shot while Kane's first-time effort on the rebound mercifully bounced wide before the England keeper denied Doherty again in the 34th minute.

It was 3-0 not long afterwards, however. Keane was out-muscled by Kane on the halfway line and when the ball broke to Doherty he knocked it over the top for the striker to beat offside, run into oceans of space behind Everton's absent back line and slot past Pickford.

Lampard moved to try and shore up his shambolic defence at half-time by hooking the hapless Keane and introducing Branthwaite but the young defender had been on the field less than 60 seconds before the Blues were torn apart again.

Coleman sold Gordon short with a poor pass and Son found Kulusevski who rolled a pass across the box to Reguilon and the Spaniard, a half-time substitute himself, converted first time to make it 4-0.

Then, after Calvert-Lewin's sole contribution of note, a shot that he dragged across Hugo Lloris's goal in the 53rd minute, Eric Dier clipped the crossbar with a header before Kane completed the rout. Coleman was again at fault with a dreadful pass straight to a white jersey and when Doherty floated the ball to the back post, Kane volleyed it back across Pickford and inside the far post.

Lampard withdrew Van de Beek and then Calvert-Lewin in favour of Vitalii Mykolenko and Dele Alli but apart from a couple of corners that came to nothing, Everton didn't come close to scoring a consolation goal in the closing stages.

Instead, Pickford saved from Steven Bergwijn and Davinson Sanchez planted a header off a free-kick wide before referee Stuart Attwell put the Toffees out of their misery with the final whistle.

In his time at the club so far, Lampard has tried to channel what he knows are the qualities of an Everton side that the supporters want to see. The sad fact is that he just doesn’t have the players to play front-foot, domination football away from home. That above all is hopefully the lesson the manager will have taken from his first three away games, each of which has been worse than the last.

Psychologically, the margin of this defeat could be the most concerning impact of the night and keeping morale high heading into Sunday’s clash with Wolves could be Lampard’s most important task in the days ahead because he also doesn’t have a lot of options at his disposal when it comes to dropping those players whose commitment he will now have cause to openly question.

The games will start to run out now. There is talent in this squad that was demonstrated in the home wins over Brentford and Leeds but now needs to be harnessed away from home. Goodison Park may yet prove to be the key to survival but there is surely no doubt in Lampard’s mind that he has a huge job on his hands now to keep this team up.

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David Currie
1 Posted 08/03/2022 at 03:27:29
Frank got it badly wrong tonight with the naive tactics; we needed to sit deep and frustrate. With the defence we have playing against top class players like Kane and Son, by playing high we played into their hands.

With the experience of Lampard, Clement, Cole and Ferguson, I don't understand why they set up like that. We have to play the rest of the away games with a 0-0 mentality, don't concede and keep it tight and defend like dogs. We have the worst away record in the Premier League.

Deva Govender
2 Posted 08/03/2022 at 05:10:57
Michael Keane needs to be dropped. Cannot read the game and is too slow to respond. The players are not looking for a forward pass, only sideways and backwards. Most awful performance.
Rick Tarleton
3 Posted 08/03/2022 at 06:30:49
Lyndon, as ever, was spot on with his analysis of the game.

Holgate is good with the ball at his feet, but the main duty of a defender, especially a central defender, is to be aware, to try to anticipate where the ball might be played, or which player will make a run or drop off. Of those essential skills, he has no idea. He isn't alone.

The left side of Everton's defence does not exist. The midfield can either sit back and defend or move up and play in a gung-ho fashion, it just cannot do both as most good midfields can.

Gordon tried, though, at times in despair, he tried to do too much on his own. When Dele Alli came on, he was neat and looked for the ball. However, Van der Beek showed why he rarely got a chance in the dysfunctional but talented Man Utd midfield. Calvert-Lewin is, as ever, returning from injury, but he looked like the player of 3 years ago, rather than last year's England striker model.

Coleman is a shadow of a once excellent full-back. Kenny tries but is not and never will be a left-sided defender. Keane, at the moment, is in reverse Midas mould, and everything he touches goes wrong.

Pickford is Pickford, brilliant saves and Sunday League howlers. He never has that quiet authority which the best keepers (Southall) command.

We desperately need some luck early in a game, someone needs to score an own goal for us, a keeper playing against us needs to spill a shot or let it slip past him. We have a tough end of season, but three or four home games, starting with Wolves that ought to be winnable. If we don't win them, then I may well see my second ever game with Everton in the second tier of English football.

COYB

Frank Sheppard
4 Posted 08/03/2022 at 06:54:58
Different managers, same mistakes.

There is no evidence of improvement, and results remain truly awful. Reality is that after a very short, good start to the season, Everton are the worst team in the Premier League.

Brian Murray
5 Posted 08/03/2022 at 07:12:00
Lyndon.

I and thousands more could've given Frank food for thought before his first game and told him about the mentality of most of these players.

If him and his coaches hand on heart didn't know, then we have Ferguson even Unsworth to point this out, plus a football man on the board in Sharpy who is still verbally paralysed. Okay, if that's unfair and I'm sorry to rock their cushy little world, then I don't know if anyone is accountable except the 'good times' Buffoon.

Peter Neilson
6 Posted 08/03/2022 at 07:15:47
This was as bad as we’ve been. That Keane has played over 150 games for us shows how poor the squad is. Maybe no way back for him after last night. I’d like to think home results and defeats for those around us would do but beating Brentford would be unlikely on last nights performance. The home games against Wolves and Newcastle are huge, 6 points needed. Lampard has got a lot to do not helped by Januarys budget being used up before he came in with players too inexperienced to help in such a scrap. Sums up the ineptitude of the past 6 years recruitment. Very worrying.
Derek Moore
7 Posted 08/03/2022 at 07:39:44
What a difference a day makes.

Keane was diabolical, Coleman might have been just as bad.

More worrying was Lampard's naive game plan that exposed the pair of them. Surely you play to your strengths and try to hide as best you can your weaknesses. This is a Tottenham team that played it's way through the City forward press a few weeks ago. It's not rocket science.

The January recruitment looks inadequate and a few posters have noted the wisdom or lack thereof of allowing hot seat Benitez to use much of it.

The on field response to this latest debacle will be illustrative. It's sink or swim time.

Bill Rodgers
8 Posted 08/03/2022 at 08:03:47
Six months ago I came to the conclusion that it would take relegation to sort out this mess. That may be right - but last night was so bad, so humiliating, that it may be enough to bring the club to its senses.
Mal van Schaick
9 Posted 08/03/2022 at 09:12:19
An abject performance. What I didn't understand from the manager was that he selected a team and tactics that were not joined up.

Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison were too far apart in play up front, playing as individuals and not together. Creativity from midfield was non-existent, hence no shots on target.

Midfield was a blustering mess and if Allan and Doucouré think that they did their bit, they should think again. Effort is one thing; creativity is another. Gordon knew what was required of him, but it just didn't come off. He was the only one trying to be creative.

Keane can be a good defender, but not playing with Holgate. Holgate, for me is the problem. As others say, with the ball at his feet he looks ok, but his positional sense and passing is abysmal. He should be dropped and Branthwaite replace him.

We can play well at home with the Goodison roar, and Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison can score goals. This week in training should be concentrated on the playing together and not a pitch apart. Midfielders should be told to pass through channels and cross the ball better.

We cannot capitulate in the next two home games. We need true grit and determination with an organised team effort. We can get the results we need through home form at Goodison.

Bill Fairfield
11 Posted 08/03/2022 at 09:31:31
We are now staring into the abyss. I’am more hopeful than confident we can beat the drop.
The way the team was set up last night is a huge concern. They’re just not good enough to be asked to play that way.
Danny O’Neill
12 Posted 08/03/2022 at 09:34:51
Capitulation. Surrender. Beaten when the first goal went in. Cowardice of the highest white feather order. Shame on you Everton. I've seen some beatings over the years, but that was sheer white flag territory that even the Italians and French would have been embarrassed by. If we were allowed 11 subs, just about all of them would have been used after 20 minutes.

20 minute walk to Seven Sisters to then get stuck amongst the jubilant Tottenham fans in the queuing system to get into the station. Found a bar near Kings Cross that was open to console with my mate, only we didn't really talk about Everton. Nothing to discuss.

I haven't watched back and won't. I saw enough of it in the flesh last night, and yes, I stayed to the bitter end. Arms folded.

But I unintentionally caught one of the goals on the BBC this morning. The one where Harry Kane makes Michael Kane look like he is jogging on the spot. It's not like Kane is Usain Bolt, but that was way too easy. It was like taking a cavery knife to margarine. Apologies, this is going to take a few days to digest, so you'll have to excuse me.

Once again, Anthony Gordon looked shell shocked at the end. He finally gets his chance but must be wondering WTF? Most of them didn't venture too close to the Everton fans in the corner at the end apart from Mykolenko and Pickford. Even our Captain was noted in his absence.

On a lighter note, I was both impressed and intrigued with the beer glasses being filled up from the bottom by placing it on a widget of some sort. I still can't work it out, but trying not to overthink.

Michael Lynch
13 Posted 08/03/2022 at 09:53:11
I'm not entirely convinced by Frank's post match comments on the OS today - sure, our players were terrible last night, but our tactics were shocking. At half time, a Spurs friend of mine texted me in disbelief "what is Lampard doing? If he'd watched the Burnley game he'd know how to beat us - be compact, hard to break down, and hit on the break."

I'm going to text him back this morning and offer him a job at FInch Farm.

Lee Robinson
14 Posted 08/03/2022 at 09:53:54
We all know and can see the issues with the defence and midfield, but the ball just comes straight back time after time from our weak attack, constantly losing the ball, bounces off them our lack of creativity is just as bigger an issue, we must be so easy to play against.
Peter Carpenter
15 Posted 08/03/2022 at 09:58:44
I thought it would get worse before it gets better. If we are in the bottom 3 on Saturday night it might be a blessing in disguise. I firmly believe that dropping into the bottom 3 before the final game helped us in 1994. We were fighting our way out rather than hoping not to fall in. Something will surely sting these players into a response but it's got to be the best fighters from now on.
Brian Harrison
16 Posted 08/03/2022 at 10:01:38
Well last night confirmed if anybody was in any doubt that this team is in a battle for survival, and watching last night even with games in hand on our rivals it doesnt give much grounds that we can get anything from those games. I think Ancelotti quickly assessed that the only way to get results with the squad he had inherited was to sit deep be organised and hit teams on the break. Somehow miraculously he manged to get this shower to win 11 away games. But when he found out that there would be no money to spend he realised this wasnt a situation he wanted to be in, and who could blame him.

I think we have to go back to when Moyes was the manager when we last had a defence who were well drilled and knew how to defend. As I said apart from Ancelotti all those who followed Moyes tried to play a more open attacking game, but we have never had the defensive stability to allow us to play that way. Martinez added more attacking options but had Moyes well drilled defence to rely on, but when he moved away from that set up then the poor results followed.

All the very best sides have a good defence and most also have a very good sitting defensive midfield players just ahead. When you look at City, Liverpool and Chelsea all 3 have great defenders, yes its the attackers who mostly get the headlines but all those teams know none of this is possible without a good defence. By and large most of the back 4 that played last night have been part of the back 4 for 5 years, and its no coincidence that for most of those years we have struggled.

I know when Lampard was at Chelsea the criticism of him was the team was to open, and I think that we under his leadership have certainly away from home been guilty of the same fault. Also doesnt help when your best defender Mina has missed so many matches.
I am sure Lampard and his coaches would have been alarmed at the schoolboy defending he watched last night and thats not just the back 4 but the midfield as well. I have to say DVdB doesn't impress at all he hardly puts in a tackle and I am yet to see him link up with the forwards or put in any telling passes for the forwards, and likewise with Doucoure. The only 2 players who came out that game with any credit was Gordon and Allan, even Pickford who has been good of late should have done better with Sons goal and Kanes 2nd.

I think DCL is a very very limited footballer and last night just underlined that fact, he never looks like he will collect the ball and turn and run at defenders or hold it up and play a ball to his teammates. I think the fact he is credited with 1 assist in the last 2 seasons highlights his deficiencies. Richarlison as always gives 100% but there has to be a lot more end product than what he is producing at present. I think he has to stop trying to take on 3 or 4 defenders every time he gets the ball.
I actually thought when Lampard took over we would see more interplay in and around the opponents box between midfield and the forwards but you very rarely see that happening.

Maybe just maybe that tonking last night will have been a massive wake up call for everyone at the club, either that or it just deepens the depression even further. The games against Wolves a team who don't normally concede a lot of goals and the Newcastle game are now huge games and it maybe our last chance for a while to actually put daylight between ourselves and the other strugglers, lets hope with the backing of 40,000 fanatical fans we can do it as I really don't want to consider what will happen if we don't.

Danny O’Neill
17 Posted 08/03/2022 at 10:07:46
I know I'm often touted as a bit of an Allen groupie Brian, but I agree with you, he was the only one who tried to offer something.

To the point about what's in front, on more than a few occasions, he didn't have options in front of him.

I thought Doucoure had an off night (not alone) and Tottenham done a good job in continuously showing Gordon inside, where they could easily contain him.

Brian Harrison
18 Posted 08/03/2022 at 10:20:42
Danny,

I am also a big fan of Allan the guy never hides always demanding the ball off the back 4 and is always looking to play a ball for the forwards to run onto. I really do worry as to who would play his role if he got injured.

I think Ali will start on Sunday instead of DVdB and lets hope that Gray is fit to start with him on 1 wing and Gordon on the other and I would start Richarlison down the middle but if Gray isn't fit to start then play Richarlison out wide and I would pick Rondon over DCL to start up front. At least he can hold the ball up and has decent link up skills and seing as he is now fully fit for me carries more threat than DCL.

Frank Wolfe
19 Posted 08/03/2022 at 10:35:31
Spot on Michael, the tactics were way off and set.the team up for failure. Spurs are a great counter attacking team and we made it easy for them.
Should have gone 4-5-1, sat back and hit them on the break or from a set piece.
Rory Grant
20 Posted 08/03/2022 at 10:46:59
Don't know why I bother anymore but 40 odd years of support can't be ignored... even if it is painful.

Sounds simplistic but if you don't start with defense nothing else matters. Keane has deteriorated for a long time and doesn't have mental strength to cope. Holgate has always been a huge liability and never been anywhere near PL level. Coleman is turning into a tragic figure, trying to perform when it is obvious he can't. Godfrey in my mind been forced to play CD even he is a fullback... still much better than Holgate/Keane. Mina yes but his injuries make him irrelevant. Do not know if Branthwaite is up to it but he cannot be worse than Holgate or Keane.

In the big picture I am afraid that there is just too much feel-good factor going on in the team and pictures from the practice field reflect that. We are and have been in serious trouble for long time. Do the players realize that? Or really care?

When going gets tough, tough get going...I am afraid we don't have enough such characters to survive.

David Bromwell
21 Posted 08/03/2022 at 11:12:23
In all honesty our words in these circumstances are largely pointless ( ironic ) but Mal in 9 sums up the situation perfectly for me. Over to Frank and his experienced team, let's hope they get it right for Sunday.
Paul Jones
22 Posted 08/03/2022 at 11:18:40
Sadly Keane has not recovered psychologically since his serious head injury. The good defensive qualities he had from his days at Burnley have gone. His offensive qualities massively overrated hence his removal from the England squad. Holgate is one of those defenders who needs someone alongside him who is not struggling with his own game otherwise best not to play him at centre back if you have a choice as has no outstanding defensive qualities to his game. Coleman at his best was never the greatest defensive fullback more renowned for his marauding forward. Possibly he still has a role on the right of midfield the position he originally played for Everton were any new incumbent at right back could benefit from his experience. Kenny is too dependent on his right foot to play left back so should really play some one who is more instinctive in that position.
The "shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic approach to management" usually results in being sunk as we saw last night.
Andrew Clare
23 Posted 08/03/2022 at 11:26:59
35 years of painful decline. One FA Cup in that time. 11 years of Moyes mediocrity followed by stupid transfers and mostly failed managers.
We have never looked remotely like title challengers in that time. Maybe 12 or 15 good games a season down to around 5 or 6 in recent years with the exception of Martinez in his first season.
Relegation now seems inevitable.
Jack Convery
24 Posted 08/03/2022 at 11:31:56
CAPITULATION is bang on the money, Lyndon. No other word for it.

I wrote a week or so ago, that I wouldn't fancy being in the trenches with most of this squad. Last night vindicated that and yet I was still hoping for a point. How deluded can you be. We all thought after the City game if we perform like that, with the 100% commitment and passion we would be ok. However playing like that, once in a blue moon ( no pun intended ) won't cut it. In the EPL you have to be on it every game and for some reason EFC cannot do it. Away from home we are the oh so easy touch. Even Norwich beat us.

The tactics last night were wrong. However, Frank probably thought that given their performances against Burnlay and Middlesboro, their confidence might be low and if we could get an early goal etc etc. Alas it didn't work. As soon as Keane put his so called attempt at a clearance past Pickford it was over. As usual Panic Stations ensued. It was like the home game against Watford. The Blue Sea parted and it was St Crispins day all over again. Once more unto the breech shouted Harry Hotspur and ably assisted by Son, they were routed !!

Frank may not like it but we have to play tight and park the bus away from home for the rest of the season. Though I have to say I'm not even sure these players can manage that.

I feel very sorry for Anthony Gordon who has been a lone bright spot, whilst Gray has been injured / sick. Its obvious but we badly need Gray, Mina and Godfrey back real soon. We also need them to stay fit.

I was surprised to see Gomes on the bench last night as I believed he was finished after his appalling substitute appearance at Southampton. I suppose the fact that Frank changed the formation rather than bring him on when DVB was taken off, says it all.

So what do we do going forward. For Wolves and Newcastle.

Goalkeeper. Pickford picks himself

The defence. We have 7 defenders who are supposedly fully fit. 3 RBs none of whom seem fit for purpose. 3CHs, one of whom thinks he's something and isn't. Another who lets CFs bully him and whose confidence looks shot and a young kid learning his trade. At LB a new signing who must be worried 24/7. about his family and friends. Godfrey might be added to this little lot come Sunday. Frank I wish you luck sorting out a defence worthy of the name from that lot.

The midfield picks itself. It has to be Allan, Doucoure and DVdB.

As for the attack. If we go 4 3 3, then Gordon starts as defenders are rightly scared of his pace and determination. Richarlson and if fit Gray.

If there is a U23 match this week then play DCL and Deli Ali in it for the full 90 minutes. get some game time into them.

I feel sick to the pit of my stomach about what is happening to our great club and hope beyond hope the manager and team can find something to get us out of this mess asap, I would hate to go the Emirates in May needing something. Imagine that, Arteta sending us down. Were's the Arteta money Bill ?

Graeme Beresford
25 Posted 08/03/2022 at 11:47:30
Felt sorry for Frank last night, he really was in a no win situation. Typical of us we get a team who have recently been embarrassed and have lost a number of games on the run, up steps Everton, it’s like Norwich all over again. That and Kane and Son always have great games against us.

If Frank goes defensive, dare I say it Rafa style, and we get beat, everyone says ‘why did he play defensive the only way to beat spurs is to attack’. But he goes attacking and we get stuffed then you have people saying ‘we should of played 5 at the back and tried to sneak a 1-0’. I felt sorry for him last night. Frank is surly looking at his back line and thinking ‘what the hell has this clown Benitez left me with’.

We had one of the best attacking left backs in the league in Digne, Rafa marginalised him and he left the club, we had another left back that we have sent on loan and we had another left back who was a young raw talent who we let go to Southampton, now we are playing a sub standard right back in the left back position, it’s typical Everton and typical of Rafa.

James Rodrigues was the only Everton player I have seen in years who was able to get the ball and spread a 60 yard pass to feet. He also scored 6 goals in 23 games. How many have Allan, Doucoure, Davies, Iwobi scored. It’s crazy that we got rid of James, again, Rafa fell out with him and Everton agreed and we replaced him with Andros Townsend. A squad player at best who is years past his best.

I’m hopeful that we stay up but I will be honest I have seen this coming since December. That’s when Rafa should of been given the boot! We need wins, but we can’t cross, we can’t shoot, we can’t defend and we can’t create. Keane after this season needs to go, along with Holgate. Oh also, ankther foot note, Coleman is like 43 years old and we signed Patterson to replace him, the guy can’t get near the team. Another Everton shit show.

Ian Hollingworth
26 Posted 08/03/2022 at 12:12:27
Graeme @25,

Spot on regarding James Rodriguez. I was against Rafa's appointment but the way he got rid of James sealed it for me.

Who gets rid of a player of that standard, especially when there is nothing to replace him and nobody anywhere near his level in the current squad?

I think James would have thrived at Goodison with the adoration from the crowd, but we will never know.

James Newcombe
27 Posted 08/03/2022 at 12:28:40
Messed about with the manager situation, having Lampard come in right at the end of the window.

Signed two full backs with our scarce funds, who for some reason aren't ready for the first XI. Ignoring the gaping holes at centre-back and central defensive midfield.

Signed a winger on loan who can't get a look in.

Off the pitch, we are still a ship without a rudder, and don't seem to have learned very much. I still believe that our fans at home can keep us up, but the table doesn't lie.

Howard Sykes
28 Posted 08/03/2022 at 13:08:15
Well the games in hand don't amount to a hill of beans. Everton are simply unable to get points. We couldn't even buy a point as we are bust. Championship here we come.
Tony Everan
29 Posted 08/03/2022 at 13:19:21
Ancelotti got nine away wins out of many of the same players. Low block soaking it up and hitting team on the breakaway. Boring KITAP1, but who cares? Results are what matter away from home. Yesterday’s tactics were suicidal and a bit naive. Conte must have thought it was Christmas and his birthday rolled into one.

Keane looked broken, if he’s been ill it must be showing on the training ground that he’s suffering. Why play him? Branthwaite is very young and inexperienced but still a better option anyhow.

Then we get to the utterly shambolic full back situation.
Patterson and Mykolenko are young hungry full backs, they need to play. If a slower Seamus and third reserve RB Kenny are preferred instead may the lord have mercy upon us for our transfer sins.

DCL hasn’t shown anything, but has he had a decent cross to attack ? None last night and maybe one or two previously.

Wolves and Newcastle are now do or die games.

Steavey Buckley
30 Posted 08/03/2022 at 13:44:31
When Everton did well last season away from home they were not facing the home supporters because of covid. Everton did less well than usual at home because they too lacked the home supporters. Injuries to Yerry Mina have no helped. When he plays Everton have a 53% success rate, but when does not play, the success rate is halved.
Mike Doyle
31 Posted 08/03/2022 at 13:46:19
Tony # 29] Agree with the main jist of your post. However on the fullbacks. Patterson wasn't even a first choice starter at Rangers when we signed him and while Mykolenko may have other things on his mind, he's looked pretty ordinary to me so far. That Frank & his team think an out of position Kenny is our best left back option speaks volumes.

The crosses our wide players have been supplying in recent PL games have been dire - and not much better against Boreham Wood.

Michael Connelly
32 Posted 08/03/2022 at 14:14:53
Foolish from Lampard if you ask me. Surely, by now, he knows how fast (slow, that should be) his defenders are. He tried to play like Liverpool with a high line, and pressing high up the pitch, but failing to recognise that our defenders don't have the pace of Van Dijk, or Alexander-Arnold to deal with breakaways.

At home, you have a better chance of playing that way, with the crowd behind you and the away team inclined to sit back a bit more, but away from home, facing Kane and Son, you are inviting a hiding. Ancelotti recognised the limitations of his players, and cut the cloth to suit the measure.

Lampard needs to learn fast.

Alan McMillan
33 Posted 08/03/2022 at 14:26:47
Lampard looked absolutely lost last night. I'm sure, like the rest of us, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

How on earth are we going to fix this mess? It's a perfect storm that is going to wash us away.

Losing 5-0 at Spurs is not going to send us down, it's the pathetic losses to Palace, Wolves, Norwich, Watford, Villa, West Ham, Brentford which will hurt.

What has it come to when 2 points in the next two matches is about all we can hope for?

Even if we don't get relegated, there is no way back for this group of overpaid, overrated, gutless, spineless, careless wasters. They have shown their true colours and we as fans deserve – and demand – better.

Peter Jansson
34 Posted 08/03/2022 at 15:46:09
I just don't get why Evertonians wanted Lampard as a manager. Had no better opportunities in mind so I did not complain too much but...

Lampard complained at Chelsea not having a squad good enough. Then came Thomas Touchel and won the Champions League with that same squad. In other words, Lampard did not do very good at Chelsea relative to the squad he had at hand.

Why should Lampard do any better with Everton than with Chelsea? I have no idea. I don't get the logic, let's bring a manager that did not do very good at the last club, then everything will be fine. Smart strategy...

I hope I am wrong, but I don't have much hope left. There are so many things in our club that seems not to work that I am totally losing interest in Everton. Last night I forgot we played a game. It was probably good I did not see it anyway.

Sorry to say, but I give it 65% chance of relegation. There is a big risk we end up last in the Premier League.

Kevin Prytherch
35 Posted 08/03/2022 at 15:47:59
That was the worst performance I've seen, and it wasn't just because of the score line, it was poor pretty much all over the pitch.

Calvert-Lewin looked uninterested. I know he stated last season that he preserves his energy to be alert in front of goal, but he could at least do more than jog occasionally to put more pressure on their defence.

Richarlison looked like he spat his dummy out at not being centre forward so tried to do everything himself.

Van de Beek was anonymous. Allan and Doucouré looked like they tried in the first half but weren't much good. If Allan is playing as a defensive shield then that's where he needs to be, not chasing shadows up the pitch. The second half was Doucouré's worst for a long time, but maybe playing 3 games back from injury in a week took its toll.

Coleman should never have been playing against Son. He was reckless going forward and hopeless in defence.

Keane is a liability and can only play one way (despite the stats that some posters will post), and that's backs-to-the-wall defending. He should be nowhere near the team for the next 2 games.

Holgate is someone I've defended and, to be fair, wasn't as bad as Coleman and Keane. However he, and the rest of the defence, were shown up by Gordon in the first half. There is no excuse for the half-arsed jogging back that he constantly did. In the first half, Gordon was 20 yards behind Son and sprinted back to make a challenge, none of our defence broke into a sweat when losing the ball and that is unacceptable. Gordon in that one moment, showed the rest of the team up.

I've not got much criticism for Kenny, at least he tried, he was just out of his depth at left-back, or Pickford, who made a mistake but was otherwise very good. Gordon puts them all to shame.

If Godfrey is back in the next game, I would drop all of the back 4. Play Patterson, Godfrey, Branthwaite and Mykolenko. At least we'll have a bit of pace to play a higher line.

Barry Hesketh
36 Posted 08/03/2022 at 15:53:44
Peter @ 34,

Evertonians didn't choose Frank Lampard. Like every other employee at the club, we don't get to vote on who arrives and who leaves, we're stuck with whomever the board and manager appoints.

Frank may not be able to stop what is seemingly inevitable, but at least he has a slim chance, a chance that would have been beyond Benitez.

At the moment, if the season's form continues for the Bottom 4 or 5 for the remainder of the season, Everton would escape relegation by two points. Unfortunately or perhaps luckily we can't see future events, therefore, we'll just have to see how each and every result for Everton and those around us affects our league position.

Until it is mathematically impossible for Everton to stay up, we have to support the club.

John Raftery
37 Posted 08/03/2022 at 16:05:49
I think those home wins against Brentford and Leeds were totally misleading. Achieved against substandard teams the victories may have lulled the new manager, the players and supporters into believing the team had enough about it to escape trouble; that all we needed was the new manager to instil belief and confidence to take the game to opponents. That has proven a recipe for failure.

Surely after last night Lampard must realise a change of approach is required. First and foremost he needs to set the team up not to be beaten. I fear he lacks the experience and knowledge to do that effectively in enough matches between now and the end of the season.

It seems to me we have a comparative novice as a manager, still feeling his way into the job. We have no alternative but to live with that, hope he can turn it around but accept that relegation may be the price of failure.

Barry Hesketh
38 Posted 08/03/2022 at 16:12:46
John @17
There's a certain Scotsman, on his staff, whom you would have thought would offer his advice to his new boss, having seen the same performances upteen times in the last few years.
Jay Harris
39 Posted 08/03/2022 at 16:12:52
Well said Barry,
The players looked shot and confused last night and I know a lot of supporters would say they need to be shot but I blame the tactics for last nights humiliation. As many have already said we should have set out to defend and pinch one against the best counter attacking side in the Prem. They are also very good defensively so it was easy for them to pick Everton off and then exploit the vast space in front of them against the slowest back 4 in the Prem.

It is vital that the supporters lift them selves and get behind the team on Saturday against another counterattcking side.

Lets just hope Frank has learned his lesson and starts with solid defending.

Cathal Donnellan
40 Posted 08/03/2022 at 16:14:48
We played in the cup against Boreham Wood and started with 5 defenders. 5 at the back against a team from the Conference. Last night we started with 4 at the back, playing away from home when our away from has been dire. And then played a high pressing game, leaving our ropey back 4 exposed. I would have been delighted with a scrappy point before kick off last night, but playing this high pressing game away to spurs last night really stinks of a tactical naivety from Lampard last night. We just don't have the players for that right now. We know we have bad players but if Frank don't get his tactics right then we are definitely going down.
Peter Mills
41 Posted 08/03/2022 at 16:40:45
I’ve driven home today, and all I’ve been able to think about is what I witnessed last night.

As benchmarks, in my own head I have placed the defeat to the rs kids as the most shameful defeat in the Club’s history, and the 0-5 defeat to the rs, together with a 3-0 defeat at Wolves at Christmas 1983, as the worst performances I’ve seen from an Everton side. The early 70s also had some very low spots.

But last night was right down there with them.

John Raftery
42 Posted 08/03/2022 at 17:03:01
Peter (41) I would include the 5-0 thrashing
by Conté’s Chelsea in November 2016 in an increasingly long list of low points. After nearly sixty years of watching our team I am starting to think the list of lows may soon outnumber the highs if it does not already do so.
Dale Self
43 Posted 08/03/2022 at 17:09:05
Hey! Don't know the details yet but the transfer window is opening for Russian contracted players who want out. Technically I think they are allowing the players to reject their contract which leaves them out of contract and then the players are free to sign for whoever they choose.

Dennis Stevens
44 Posted 08/03/2022 at 17:26:43
Aye, Dale, Gbamin could be back in time for the next match!
Ray Roche
45 Posted 08/03/2022 at 17:31:35
Jay@39

We’re playing Sunday at 14-00hrs, not Saturday Jay.

Jay Harris
46 Posted 08/03/2022 at 17:41:01
Ooops Sunday it is then Ray but it wouldnt do any harm to get behind them on Saturday too. LOL
Dale Self
47 Posted 08/03/2022 at 17:44:23
Dennis, just like a new signing eh?
Danny O’Neill
48 Posted 08/03/2022 at 17:55:46
Last night was bad, but the Ian Rush derby still hurts and scars me. As did the defeat at home to Tranmere in the FA Cup.

The 7 - 0 thumping by Arsenal was dreadful.

But last night was up there with them. Is it Sunday yet?

Dennis Stevens
49 Posted 08/03/2022 at 18:11:12
Certainly would, Dale! :-)
Bobby Thomas
50 Posted 08/03/2022 at 18:12:32
I understand Lampard is getting to know the squad but the tactics were ridiculous and basically set the side up to fail.

I knew we were going to get battered away from home playing like this. I mean, Keane in a high line? Has Lampard ever watched us? I don't think he understands how systemic the problems are.

We've barely won a game since Jan '21 and are in the middle of a deep malaise. There is something seriously wrong in there and "enjoy the ball" just won't cut it with the biggest bunch of phonies he will ever encounter.

We are going to the wire with this. Even a point gained away from home may be the difference. He needs to immediately prioritise solidity, organisation and clean sheets.

The mix of centre backs at the club is completely wrong and with Mina injured the other 3 can't play together - none of the combinations work. Holgate and Gordon are under size and Keane has got nothing.

The only realistic option is to sit in a low block and make sure they get protection by sticking at least one holder in front of them so no one can get into them. If Lampard doesn't change the away set up then we will keep getting absolutely battered.

Peter McEvoy
51 Posted 08/03/2022 at 18:38:02
Awful performance last night where do you start
Pickford is a liability our defence is the worst in the league by some distance no pace or physical presence
Midfield has no one with any flair or creativity very workman like and slow
Forwards Richarlisson has ability but gets on like a big baby and falls over too much never looks happy Anthony Gordon always gives 100% but I think he lacks an end product
Demari Gray looks good and we need him and Ben Godfrey in his correct position
I wouls ask serious question about the Academy and our scouting network we have spent a fortune on very poor players
Very difficult being an Everton fan at the moment but then whats new
Peter Belfast COYB
Sean Roe
52 Posted 08/03/2022 at 18:58:13
Danny @ 48,

Being beaten by Liverpool's kids in the FA Cup must be up there surely?

Danny Baily
53 Posted 08/03/2022 at 19:13:46
Peter 51, what's new is that it's going to cost us our top flight status.

No more Match of the Day, we'll get 2 mins on Quest at 9:15.

No more coverage on 5 live, we'll get a disinterested 20 second update at halftime of the big match that day, Fulham vs Brentford.

I could go on. A major loss of status is coming and it will be hard to swallow.

Danny O’Neill
54 Posted 08/03/2022 at 19:21:00
That's an interesting shout Sean @52 as I know that match grates with many.

For me though, being thumped by Liverpool in the early 80s when we were still a relative force was more of a shock than the one you refer too.

And the other aspect is what I have previously referred to. Liverpool were able to do that without the presence of their manager because they (he) has installed a system throughout the club. From academy to first team, everyone is coached the same. Every team plays the same system. Subsequently, their kids find it easy to step up when asked to do so. They play the same system.

We have left boot not being able to talk to right hand.

To your point, that was an embarrassing night. However given where we were and how they have implemented a top to bottom system, it was no surprise to me.

The Ian Rush derby was a distraughtful shock to me at the time.

Sean Roe
55 Posted 08/03/2022 at 19:28:09
Danny, the FA Cup Final 1986 – The day I became a blue!
Danny O’Neill
56 Posted 08/03/2022 at 19:43:41
10 May 1986 Sean.

A dark day. From cheers to tears.

Ian Rush. I've never met him and never want to.

Rick Tarleton
57 Posted 08/03/2022 at 20:27:46
I've watched Putin and Trump in action and decided that the alleged Spurs result was simply fake news.
After a few minutes I saw Keane clear a dangerous cross, then I saw Pickford make a regulation save. Early in the second half Holgate, being super aware, was tight on Reguilon and jockeyed him legally off the ball. Late on Lloris allowed a shot from Alli to slip through his fingers and go over the line. Plucky hard-working Everton managed to sneak a vital one goal win down in the capital.
Unreal? No more unreal than the display offered by a Premier League team fighting for its survival.
Danny O’Neill
58 Posted 08/03/2022 at 20:45:04
Sadly Rick, I witnessed it with my own eyes. It was real and very unpleasant.
Ray Jacques
59 Posted 08/03/2022 at 20:49:53
Keeley, Koldrup and Keane, Everton hall of famers as shit centre backs.
Don't sign centre halves with surnames beginning with K.
Brian Murray
60 Posted 08/03/2022 at 21:09:55
Kenton wasn’t too shabby and marked dalglish well in the Andy king derby in 78. Thankfully Lyon’s was only on the bench that day.
Brian Murray
61 Posted 08/03/2022 at 21:11:28
Typo. Kenyon I meant.
David Dann
62 Posted 08/03/2022 at 21:25:53
Brian Mick Lyons was a great center back and captain,
A warrior I wish he was in our team today

Bill Gall
63 Posted 08/03/2022 at 21:35:21
Danny # 54

I believe that was what Brands was brought in for but was never given the chance.

Bill Gall
64 Posted 08/03/2022 at 21:40:22
Mick Lyons another Croxteth boy, didn't he dive through flying boots to score at the Park End
Jerome Shields
65 Posted 08/03/2022 at 22:32:06
Not convinced by Frank post match comments was blaming the players rather than his tactics. If he is thinking Everton players, even on the ball, with those tactics will win or draw away from home he is delusional. I know some of the p!ayers where diabo!ical, but how much did wrong tactics contribute to that.

Completely wrong tactics and selection in certain positions, which may have been to suit thetactics were completely wrong. Even in the second half there was a still a adherance to th e same tactics, with Subs to suit.

My concern is that both. Benitez and Lampard were hired to play open attacking football and like Benitez, who did not change, Frank will do the same.

Now after that performance the Wolves game will. be more difficult.

Pete Clarke
66 Posted 08/03/2022 at 22:35:16
We lack a lot of things as a team. No leader, no out-and-out goal scorer and nobody who can carry the ball. We are fragile.

What is clear right now is that there is a pattern where we play a decent game and then a very poor game so hopefully this weekend we get a decent performance and the 3 points to at least keep us alive.

Lampard will be feeling the pressure for sure so it's time for him to organize these shithouses for a fight because lose against Wolves and I feel we are done.

As for the ultimate loss well it's an easy one for me. Only ticket I could get was in the Park End stand to watch us get murdered by the red shite 5 - 0. I couldn't even get out of there until the gates opened with 10 minutes to go.

Another one is getting battered at Villa 6 - 2 in a night game and having to drive home with the window smashed because someone had robbed the radio cassette.

Shane Corcoran
67 Posted 08/03/2022 at 22:44:16
Jerome, I agree.

He’s come in to deal with a mess. He got to sign two players and then it’s up to him to use the players he has keep us up.

That is not how to get a result away to Spurs.

Of course, had we scored early we might see have seen a different game thereafter.

Ah hindsight.

Eddie Dunn
68 Posted 08/03/2022 at 23:20:35
David @1, Exactly. There is enough nous there to understand that this lot need to sit deep against the guile of Kane and the clever running of Son.

Most on here could have worked that out.
I like Frank, but if he wants to hang some of our more limited olayers out to dry, even privately, then he should firstly, hold his hand up and admit his glaring mistake.
Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone
Barry Hesketh
69 Posted 08/03/2022 at 23:24:59
Kieran @69
That'll be the year I bought a new suit and took a fortnight's holiday in the Maldives :) Only Joking just in case somebody takes me seriously.
Kieran Kinsella
70 Posted 08/03/2022 at 23:31:55
Haha money well spent Barry
Christopher Timmins
71 Posted 09/03/2022 at 09:28:26
The manager has one massive job ahead of him to turn things around before 2.00pm on Sunday. At this stage I can't see a positive result even if the 12th man plays out of his skin. Lose on Sunday and my St Patrick's day will be ruined worrying about the outcome of the Newcastle game.
Jerome Shields
72 Posted 09/03/2022 at 15:00:29
Shane #67

It may go that deep that the current regime, with the appointment of Sharpe and Cahill, are actually dictating the style of play, which the Manager has to follow. I found it unusual that Benitez stuck with the same style of play, not reverting to a defensive formation at any stage.

The January transfer window acquisitions were not by the manager. Even Lampard, who was appointed on the last weekend of the transfer window, may have okayed Van de Beek, but how much input did he have?

Lampard was appointed to suit an open attacking style of football and the acquisitions where done to suit. But away from home, an open attacking style of football does not suit, because Everton do not have sufficient tactical and technical players to do so. This has been the case since November last year.

So who at Everton is dictating this open style of play and selecting the manager to suit? Who is deciding on transfers (not the managers), particularly in the January transfer window, where players acquired look in the main to suit an open attacking style of football?

It looks like the manager was selected to play this way and so were the acquisitions selected. The manager's input was minimal.

What is the actual aim and result of the Strategic Review on the ground, which has seen Sharpe and Cahill appointed, and appears to have increased the control of the Board over the football end of the club?

Every Spurs supporter I have talked to could not believe the tactics that Everton employed at White Hart Lane. All thought Spurs could have easily scored more, had they not laid off in the second half.

Tony Abrahams
73 Posted 09/03/2022 at 15:24:54
I hope Lampard has already found the answer, when he looks back at the interview he gave after the other night's match.

Played City, very unlucky and should have got something out of the game, he said, then we turn up here tonight and put in a performance like that.

In a nutshell, Frank. We played a lot more compact against City, which helped to protect the back four, and we also had balance on both sides of the pitch. We played close to each other, not allowing the opposition to play through or around us, and this gave us the backing of the crowd.

Complicate nothing, keep everything simple, and pander to nobody, please, Frank.

David Graves
74 Posted 09/03/2022 at 15:41:54
Jerome;

"Benitez was appointed to play an open and attacking style of football and didn't revert to a defensive formation at any stage."

Were you not watching?


Jerome Shields
75 Posted 09/03/2022 at 16:43:38
David #74

He never had three in midfield. What looked like defensive was Everton not able to get out of their half. It wasn't a defensive formation like Ancelotti.

Jerome Shields
79 Posted 09/03/2022 at 17:17:35
A Board member. Cahill appointed as an advisor to the Board.
Christopher Timmins
80 Posted 09/03/2022 at 17:27:20
Tony # 73

When you have less talented players than your opponent you give yourself a chance if you play in a compact manner, you stay in the game longer which allows the crowd to play it's part. If we set up like we did against Spurs against City it would have been a wipe out.

Frank can set his team up whatever way he wishes when he has the players at his disposal who can play in such a system, until then, and then might be the autumn of 2023, he has to keep things compact.


Sean Roe
82 Posted 09/03/2022 at 17:53:34
I hate seeing Seamus Coleman associated with this complete mess. His only crime is getting old, something that befalls us all.
I hope we stay up mainly because I love the club, but also so Seamus can finish his career here with his head held high.
Dale Self
83 Posted 09/03/2022 at 18:02:35
As an old man I share that opinion Sean, nice move.
Ian Riley
84 Posted 09/03/2022 at 18:11:07
Since David Moyes left, Everton have lost battling qualities to win games. Carlo went defensive and did ok. Yes the players have struggled but mixed messages/methods from previous managers has led to this. Also player recruitment has not been great but it's to late for excuses. We are in a dark hole but we can get out!!

Our formation Monday was to attack away from home. Why? We can't defend!! Frank keep it tight and compact which allows each player some protection!
Why not recruit Sam allardyce for 3 months as a consultant advising Frank and his team?

Unless Frank finds a formation to defend with their lives and get points then championship here we come. No one on that coaching team have experience of relegation battles! The club must now act to give Frank all the advice/support available. Get Sam in now!!!

Jerome Shields
85 Posted 09/03/2022 at 18:20:22
Ref Michael #81

A Board member - refs to Graham Sharpe. Cahill was a advisor to the Board on manager selection, according to Bill Kenwright.

Kevin Prytherch
86 Posted 09/03/2022 at 18:28:20
I don’t necessarily subscribe to the view that the full backs were the issue against Spurs.

They play with very wide, very high wing backs, by pushing our full backs forward it should have negated their attacking threat as they wouldn’t be able to get as far forward.

The issue arose when Son and the other guy dropped into the space that our full backs left. At this point one of our midfielders, of which we had a man spare, should have dropped into the back and effectively created a 1 on 1 situation - much as their 3 centre backs did with our 3 strikers.

Unfortunately, our midfielders seemed content with chasing shadows all game which meant that, whenever Son or the other guy dropped into these pockets of space, either a centre back had to come over or they were just left alone.

If we’d have had a competent defensive midfielder in the Gareth Barry model who would have anticipated this, it would have been totally different.

Mike Doyle
87 Posted 09/03/2022 at 18:30:26
The last decent away performance we put in was against Chelsea just before Xmas.
If we approached our remaining away games (and a few home ones) with a similar set up we might just sneak a few points.

Given that in 2 of our last 3 away games our much vaunted attacking players haven’t managed a single shot on target, this strikes me as a more sensible approach.

Graham Mockford
90 Posted 09/03/2022 at 19:17:05
Four years ago we got beat by Spurs 4-0 at Wembley

Back four was Kenny, Holgate, Keane and Martinez

Go figure

Rob Halligan
91 Posted 09/03/2022 at 19:24:08
Four years ago we got beat 4-0 by spurs at Wembley. Back four was Kenny, Holgate, Jagielka and Martina

Posters need to research before they post!

Graham Mockford
92 Posted 09/03/2022 at 19:34:57
My bad.

Maybe it’s just Kenny and Holgate who are shit. Nope Keane definitely is as well

Rob Halligan
93 Posted 09/03/2022 at 19:39:15
Is someone at the premier league taking the piss? Michael Oliver is the referee on Sunday, Jon Moss is the 4th official, and Lee “Fucking” Mason is on VAR. I thought Mason had retired, so how come he can be on VAR duties?
Paul Birmingham
94 Posted 09/03/2022 at 19:52:29
Jeez Rob, that’s a massive concern and a mental handicap before the game kicks off for players and supporters.

Frank and his coaches staff have a massive job to turn the players mindsets, but it can be done.

Also surely the poxy Officials will be under the scope, bearing their reckless and cowardly performance v City.

The media, are gloating and the saga mega drive gob, Palace chairmen, sounding the virtues of football.

All taking bull, and putting the boot in.

I hope this gets Everton coming out fighting starting Sunday, and take Palace part in Cup and league.

Rob Halligan
95 Posted 09/03/2022 at 20:00:45
Talking of referees for the weekend, I see Mike “My two sons are season ticket holders at Anfield” Dean is in charge of the RS game at Brighton. Fuck me, how can a referee who lives about four or five miles away (as the crow flies) from Anfield, referee a game they are playing in about 250 miles away ? No doubt he will travel down on their team coach and stay in the same hotel. Ah well, never mind Brighton, you put up a good fight!
Chris Leyland
96 Posted 09/03/2022 at 20:09:40
Rob - for the sake of accuracy, Dean doesn’t have any sons- he had one daughter.
Rob Halligan
97 Posted 09/03/2022 at 20:11:30
Chris, why does everyone say he has two sons then? I’m only going by what others have said. Maybe his daughter has a season ticket then! 😀😀
Paul Birmingham
98 Posted 09/03/2022 at 20:36:07
The Satanic Rights via Old Nick are conspiring, and even contrived to defeat Inter in aggregate over the two legs, with some poor decisions in both games.

But Everton can and will prevail if they can sort their heads out for the biggest end to a season in living memory.

Everton’s luck with officials must change soon.

Dave Abrahams
99 Posted 09/03/2022 at 20:41:10
Rob (95), when games were getting played during the lockdown one of the reasons given, when Dean refereed Liverpool games, was that they were using referees who lived closer to the games they refereed,they are still letting him referee the Liverpool games but now they are sending him to the other half of the country hundreds of miles away to take charge of their matches, they make it up as they go along and constantly get away with it, because no body seriously complains the way the games are refereed by those in control of these match day officials.
Barry Hesketh
100 Posted 09/03/2022 at 20:47:08
The Telegraph reported in 2006:
Mike Dean has the ignominious distinction of being the first referee to be removed from a FA Cup final.

Dean, a member of the Cheshire FA, lives in the Wirral, close to Liverpool, and, belatedly, the FA referees department decided this could compromise him when Liverpool play West Ham in next month's final.

The FA have "complete faith in Dean's refereeing ability, integrity and impartiality", they said. "The fact he is from the Wirral might lead to comment and debate which could place him under undue additional pressure. The decision has been taken with the best interests of Mike Dean and the competition in mind."

Alan Wiley, of the Staffordshire FA, who was Dean's replacement to officiate at the Millennium Stadium on May 13, will now take his place. Wiley was the referee for February's League Cup final in which Manchester United beat Wigan Athletic 4-0.

The change is likely to have been decided by officials at the FA's refereeing department - Neale Barry, head of refereeing, Ray Lewis, chairman of the referees' committee, and the vice-chairman David Elleray. None of the three could be reached for comment yesterday.

Traditionally, the identity of the FA Cup final referee is revealed after the semi-finals, but the choice of the Cheshire FA official was first revealed on April 7, more than two weeks before Liverpool and West Ham secured places in the final.

At the time, Dean said: "I'm absolutely ecstatic. It is every referee's dream."

Match officials must sign a disclaimer listing any team they support and cannot officiate in matches with those teams.

Dean supports neither Liverpool nor Everton and has officiated in only one Liverpool game, against Sheffield United, in the League Cup, on Jan 8, 2003, and two Everton games, in the Premiership against Manchester United on Dec 26, 2003 and against Wigan on Jan 31 this year.

I take it Mike Dean has moved away from the Wirral, or have the conditions altered since 2006? I don't know if Mike Dean has sons but could it be he has remarried and has step-sons?

Jerome Shields
101 Posted 09/03/2022 at 21:27:26
Micheal #88,

Lampard was selected by the answers he gave at the interviews. Answers to selection critera, which both the gentlemen you mention had an input into. Of course those answers would be influenced by what he thought they wanted.

It would be clear on appointment that both parties would be working to the same objective. If a Big Sam type was interviewed, would he have been selected? What I am saying is the manager was selected to play open attacking football, not defend and nick a goal.

Defend and nick a goal was not popular under Big Sam or Ancelotti. They both left after one season. Do you think Lampard is going to change the away tactics to defend and nick a goal? I am not saying he can't.

Then ask yourself the question why not? It is a question that is not made up, since Everton look like relegation fodder away from home.

Jerome Shields
102 Posted 10/03/2022 at 05:31:56
Final comment:

No club, manager, team, player or supporter can beat the referee.

Ajay Gopal
103 Posted 10/03/2022 at 06:30:20
Kevin (86), some very astute observations. I think we have missed Tom Davies more than many here would like to admit. He has performed the role of a back-4 shield effectively under Ancelotti. But, again, the managerial merry-go-round has played havoc with his development. Plus, the devastating injury has effectively kept him out of 3/4ths of the season. He would have added some valuable fight in this desperate bid for survival.

This is my 1st post after the Spurs debacle, but I have read most of the comments here, and as usual there are some wise words of advice for Lampard, if he cared to come on these pages. Two styles of play - play on the front foot for the home games with the Goodison crowd behind our team, and then the infamous KITAP1 (Keep it Tight and Pinch 1) strategy in the away games.

My home starting XI (4-3-3):

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Branthwaite Godfrey
Doucoure Van de Beek Allan
Gordon Richarlison Gray (/Alli/Iwobi)

My away starting XI (4-5-1):

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Branthwaite Godfrey
Gordon Doucoure Iwobi Allan Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin

Jerome Shields
104 Posted 10/03/2022 at 10:23:36
Ajay#103

Away I would have Rondon rather than Calvert Lewin to keep the team shape and keep the opposition defence pushing forward in support of their midfield. Would be ok with your home team. . Calvert Lewin as a sub at best to have a tired defence something to think about. I would think a counter attacking strategic is now vital.

A Keane Holgate positional interchange may be better, but I think Keane's confidence is shot and there is now no place for errors. Therefore I go with your selection.

Colman as a sub further forward or as back up.

Jack Convery
105 Posted 11/03/2022 at 02:26:44
Interesting Ukranian CB released by Zenit St Petersberg this week. Yaroslav Rakitskyi. Has played for Ukranian national team. Age 32. Excellent fitness record. Might be worth a look on a short term contract. Can he be any worse than what we have now ?
Jack Convery
106 Posted 11/03/2022 at 02:49:31
and another freebie available right now.

Swedish International - Viktor Claesson. 56 Caps / 11 goals. In club football he has played 399 games and scored 117 goals. Released by Krasnador on 5th March 2022. Set piece specialist. age 30.

Kieran Kinsella
107 Posted 11/03/2022 at 03:41:14
Harry Redknapp interview today saying Everton players are fucking crap and it will be a miracle if Frank keeps them up. Harry blames recruitment. Now you can take this one of two ways. On one hand the benevolent uncle exaggerating his nephews task to make him look good. On the other hand he could have got the lowdown from Frank. Personally I think it’s both. Meanwhile Brands “is it just the players?” No you Numpty it’s you too
Si Cooper
108 Posted 11/03/2022 at 04:18:43
I too watched the game and wondered why we were ensnared by the very same rope-a-dope scheme that Spuds employed to good effect against Citeh. Then when I saw the managers interview afterwards it seemed obvious that his complaint was mainly that the players hadn’t stuck to the plan.
It’s pretty obvious that turning the ball over to Spurs cheaply in certain areas of the park, or recklessly over-committing are a recipe for disaster so I don’t believe the tactics were supposed to be anything more than retain possession and only commit when it was odds on.
What Frank is learning is that too many of our squad can’t reproduce whatever cold-blooded precision and composure they manifest at Finch Farm when they are in an actual match no matter how much training they are given. It could easily be a confidence issue but that is something that is much easier to talk about than to instil.
We urgently need some confidence boosting results somehow.
Christine Foster
109 Posted 11/03/2022 at 04:23:51
When teams are struggling there are always a number of players who are not up for a fight, they are quietly contacting there agents and telling them to get me out of here. I suspect several are already in third party conversations with other clubs and make no mistake 50% of the playing staff will be gone of their own volition if we get relegated. The other 50% couldn't care less.
They need a wake up call. Shape up or play the kids. Ancelotti had it right when he said he only wanted players who wanted to play for the team. On balance I think there are a number who are in that category and I think Frank knows it too. He was a good player, he recognises the signs.
Right now, every single one of us has to park the bus on the reasons why, the only thing that matters are points on the board. How we get them I don't care. Who is too blame is for another day, when we are safe. Because if we don't support them and they do stuff up, there will be an almighty hue and cry.
We all have our on views on how we got here, but lets get the team over the line and stay positive. Focus. Support and close ranks. Repel boarders...
Phil Teece
110 Posted 11/03/2022 at 04:54:32
Anyone remember Tottenham 10 Everton 4? I do and at the hour mark I was mentally back there in 1958...but then I realised that this team was never going to score 4.
Sean Roe
111 Posted 11/03/2022 at 06:57:02
Lampard in my opinion was not the right man for the job at this particular time. Inexperienced, defensively naive and not a clue when it comes to a relegation battle. We should've got someone experienced until the end of the season and then given Lampard a try.
Mike Gaynes
112 Posted 11/03/2022 at 07:01:54
Christine #109, he knows the signs all right.

I've been having an interesting literary experience reading about lower-league football, going back and forth between Nige Tassell's "The Bottom Corner" and Ben Smith's autobiographical "Journeyman".

Smith actually encountered Lampard on the pitch as an Arsenal academy player. Here's what he writes:

At that time Frank was a decent player, but not someone who really stood out -- and definitely not someone you'd have predicted to go on to have the wonderful career he had with Chelsea. However, even at that age he had a great attitude towards training. I think Arsenal knew that his loyalties were always with West Ham but they had a go at taking him on anyway.

Lampard never coasted on his natural talent, and he won't allow his players to do so either. And I'm pretty sure that anyone who won't step up to his standards in training and commitment won't be a part of the club going forward. I think we may be in for some surprise departures in the next window.

Eric Myles
113 Posted 11/03/2022 at 07:24:05
Paul #22, I think that Keane's good defensive days at Burnley were linked with his partnership with Mee.

Either we needed to buy both of them, or we bought the wrong one.

Eric Myles
114 Posted 11/03/2022 at 07:28:22
Sean #111,

Big Sam was available but reportedly didn't want to have two relegations on his CV.

Ray Roche
115 Posted 11/03/2022 at 08:13:16
Interesting that (already) people are questioning Lampard's appointment quoting 'inexperience', yet prior to him joining us half of ToffeeWeb were crying out to ‘Give it to Big Dunc', presumably for his experience in giving ball boys a hug.

ToffeeWeb would have gone into meltdown if Allardyce had been introduced to the crowd on the pitch as our saviour.

We need to get behind Lampard and the team of misfits, not be questioning his appointment already.

Matt Henderson
116 Posted 11/03/2022 at 08:43:42
I honestly think we are not far away from being a top 10 team again. All we need is:

1. A new owner
2. A new chairman
3. A new CEO
4. A new and expanded Board
5. A couple more Execs to implement the strategy determined by the
above
6. 8 or 9 new quality players

It has to be done in chronological order, mind, as – if the current regime buys the players – we will end up with 8 or 9 one-armed goalkeepers being bought. The existing muppets somehow managed to bring in 5 players in the last transfer window of which 4 cannot make the starting XI of a team that's won 2 games in 6 months or so… and that was probably one of their better windows of the last several years.

Let's face it, if we go down and the current shower of shite stay in charge of the club, their proven track record in incompetency will ensure we are far more likely to do a Sunderland then come back up in a hurry.


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