Trying to find some balance

As for the fourth goal, it was a turn and shot by, I think Conor Gallagher, which Pickford got down well to his right to keep the shot out. Unfortunately there wasn't an Everton player in sight as Will Hughes rolled the ball into an empty net.

He's so off the pace now and a real liability we carry around when the other midfielders aren't available. He was directly at fault for the Palace second goal as he just didn't track back and mark his man.

Whatever he had as a player has well and truly gone. He's fragile physically and mentally.

I know it's all about opinions, but as a centre midfielder, he contributed absolutely nothing to the game.

Even Frank is saying you can't keep buttering up people all the time, people eventually have to be told they aren't trying or aren't good enough.

That was a poor team Frank picked, maybe he had no choice, but it didn't work and should have been changed at half-time.

I was really pleased when Frank was appointed, he seems to have surrounded himself with good people and it's a pleasure listening to him. However, there is a big 'but' as I wish he would not openly criticise his players when things go wrong, and he has chopped and changed his formations too frequently in my opinion.

In all honesty, Everton are a poor team and we will be lucky if we avoid relegation. Let's hope that all at Finch Farm use the next 2 weeks wisely and we don't suffer any further injuries.

Although I never expected to win this game I had hoped Lampard might try a different approach to keep us in the game for longer. Instead he employed a 3-4-3 formation using the same players who have singularly failed to adapt to it in previous games. Once Palace saw off our early pressure, we were as wide open as we were at Spurs.

I was not encouraged by our second-half efforts. It was more a case of Palace toying with us knowing that they could score virtually any time they chose. They allowed us a share of possession but had no difficulty protecting their lead. I don't think we managed more than one shot on target in the second half.

I suggest also our problems are less about character than they are about quality; the distinct lack of it. Vieira has built a strong running, skilful team based on young players such as Mitchell, Gallagher, Olise, Eze and Mateta. Those are names few of us had heard of 12 months ago. They have transformed Palace this season from a safe, stodgy team happy to avoid relegation to one playing with ambition and looking up the table.

Unfortunately Frank has neither the time nor the games this season to effect such a transformation with our squad. What he can and must do is organise the team to mask the severe deficiencies in quality.

He must cast aside the notion our players are in any way capable of taking the game to opponents in away games. He must make the team hard to beat, make them own their own half of the field and turn the penalty area into a fortress.

Some might call this approach anti-football or cowardly but it is the only way we can survive this season.

The first goal - although people left their zonal positions (can't stand zonal marking), have we not got a player with a bit of sense who can shout “I'm marking 2 people”. It's basic kids stuff. Sure enough, the unmarked man scores.

Second goal, a defensive minded midfielder stops this. Instead we have a half arsed Gomes jogging back with a player right in front of him for 30 yards. Again it's kids football stuff.

Third goal - lucky, yes. The shot was a bit skewed. But where's the defence? No one reacts, no one gets behind the ball ‘just in case', no one even moves. A committed defence follows that ball regardless until it's actually out of play. Again - kids football stuff.

The fourth goal - well we just give up. That shows the mentality of the team.

Piss poor mentality with no leadership and no one to give the players a rocket up their arse when they don't do the simple things.

I am beginning to despair at the number of Everon managers that don't see that we need to beef up MF especially with Allan missing.

IMO Richy is wasted up front chasing shadows. we are much more effective as a team with him protecting the left flank and hitting teams on the break.

With Dozy and Daisy at CB we need to give away less corners and free kicks but that stating the obvious.

Although Iwobi is erratic with hs final ball he puts a lot of energy and workrate into his game and I don't understand why he was left out.

Demarai Gray and Doucoure are still struggling after injury so lets hope the next 2 weeks gives the coaching staff time to get players fit and organized.

Individually and collectively they've got no spine, they're snowflakes who just give up when the going gets tough and the going is only going to get tougher over the last 11 matches.

Good as last Thursday was, they, Everton, weren't great, nor were the Barcodes, and we got lucky at the end. But at least we don't have to go to Wembley to get humiliated in the semi-final.

After many such away days,( I've been there a few times) I really don't miss them.
As for Gomes, watching him jog back as Zaha got to the byline to cross into vast empty space, was a scene that summed-up his attitude over the last 2 years. A lazy player.

Frank roasted the lads in his presser but he needs to look in the mirror.
If these guys are so brittle, so lacking, then he needs to simplify instructions, and stop playing Kenny at left back, put Richie left wing. And only play one of Gordon or Gray, and start with a bloody centre forward.
Also, rather than replacing one winger with another, I would like to see Dobbin and(in the League) Alli, just off DCL.
We are so predictable.
We need a back four and I heard pundits galore saying he needs to close it up across the goal. Our back line were strung out like old socks on the washing line.
I recall Frank had his young Chelsea side defending poorly, trying to play out from the back.
I think he has been caught out by not really knowing enough about us before he came.
He obviously thought we had a decent squad but now he knows that Benitez and Ancelotti couldn't get them to play football (at least the italian realised how to park the bus).
Having said that, I am glad Lampard has told them because that is exactly what many of us have been thinking.
Deal with it lads and get your act together.

I thought Lampard was asking alot of a aged Townsend and not surprised he got injured. When Frank's attacking fullbacks where pinned back to a back five there were no instructions to midfield or changes to suit a change of formation. Thats why they all looked half arsed and aimless. In the case of Gomes he wandered deep and diasterous. Everton's poor defence exposed.

In the second half Lampard did not change anything other than replace a few obviously tired players to fulfil his original remit. His blaming of players, some who are defintely poor, will cause resentment since they did put some effort into his flawed selection and plan.

I am stone-cold certain that no player receiving them could recount those instructions if asked.

It's like after that 3rd goal – surely the first thing someone on the pitch does is tear a strip off the defence for not reacting and tell them in no uncertain terms to not let it happen again? Not us, though – no, we just make the same mistake a few minutes later!

I have no argument with that at all but such an average is shite, end of, but I admire your positiveness in the wake of the enduring dross set before us from the boardroom and whomever else has been in charge these past three decades.

I think you should also give one of your scores to the manager too. Frank did not impress me with selection, tactics or subs sadly on Sunday. 4 ?

One final point about the type of goal you have seen 20 times this season - from corners of course. There is one common factor, I would say. Did you notice against Newcastle at home we came under sustained pressure from corners from a big, physical team but we did not concede. And what was the exception to the rule that day? The "reserve" keeper.

I thought Pickford could have kept out the second goal at Palace too, although it was well struck (right under his hand). Time to cash in? We were dead after their first to be fair. You would have missed the ITV commentator saying that Palace have not lost all season when they have had a lead.

Your report goes against the popular TW opinion that the players were terrible - whereas you say that they were not too bad! Interesting!

I thought that the tactics by Frank were quite naive, to be honest although he denies it. He shouldn't have meddled with the formation that got us a win against Newcastle. The key going forward for the away games is - KITAP1 - keep it tight and frustrate the home crowd. Even if we go a goal down, we can make the opposition nervous by being in the game until the last quarter of the game and then start taking the game to the opposition and create a few chances. We should be able to convert at least one of them!

Paul, I would be interested in rewinding the match and seeing you and putting a face to the name and voice (from the TW Podcast which I really enjoy) - if you describe yourself a little bit and what jacket or shirt you were wearing.

Many on here are aware I have lived in London for many years and I've watched Everton at several grounds. This season, QPR, Brentford, Chelsea and Tottenham. Yes, a fine record!!!

But my main point there is I share the annoyance with this "no away fans" rule they impose. A throwback to the 1980s and unnecessary.

I thought Gomes put in one of the most ineffective displays I've ever seen, but I thought the second goal epitomised our season and why Everton are in real trouble, mate.

I was watching Saha run forward, thinking, "Step up, Michael Keane, and let him run offside", which is what any decent defender, would have done in that position, I'm sure.

It was a good job he didn't though (even though Palace still scored) because Holgate would have still been playing him onside anyway, and this just highlighted how much our defenders are rarely on the same page. Shocking defending = a struggling team.