Toffees inch closer to safety with tepid draw at Watford

Got to get it done against Brentford now. COYB.

Rondon rather than Calvert-Lewin to batter them with would have been a better sub and good old fashion crosses would have been the tactic to unsettle them.

Hopefully this is the expected downer after two resets we normally get. The next game being the one to start of the sequence of another two results.

Watford had a depleted team, hadn't kept a clean sheet all season, and a win would have practically guaranteed survival, it was criminal that we didn't show the same commitment that we showed at Leicester and against Chelsea.

Brentford, with Erickson dictating the game in the middle of the park, will be a handful, so will Palace. We have forgotten that we are now part of these tier 2 and tier 3 teams where, when we see the name, we start counting the points. That's all in the past.

We are still in a dogfight. It's not over till we are mathematically safe. There has been plenty of final-day drama in the past, let's hope we don't have to endure that this year.

I watched the game, we looked tired. Gray and Gordon look out on their feet after a run of tough games that we needed something from. Bringing Allan on as sub, doesn’t work, he couldn’t get into the game and looked lost.

Do we stick with the same starting eleven or change it? That’s the conundrum Lampard has. My gut says he will start against Brentford with the same eleven as against Watford, ask for a hard 60 minutes from the tired players, then, change it.

Toney and Ericsson are their danger men, we need to be on our game for this one. A win for us and a Leeds loss, would do it for me.

Puts us in a precarious position when a win would have all but guaranteed safety.

It highlights the limitations of the squad. We need better players. I bored everyone with that during Ancelotti's reign. Doesn't matter who the manager is within reason. We need better players.

Howard Kendall is Everton's most successful Manager. When he had an inept squad, he almost took us down. Now, as always, he would have been the fall guy for mismanagement above, but it comes down to what you do on the pitch first and foremost. Look at Manchester United. Ferguson built the team before they rebuilt Old Trafford.

We can argue this over the summer, but we need better players and a more coherent strategy. Sorry to be repetitive of myself over the past few years.

But right now, we need to physically, emotionally and whatever way get these players we have across the finishing line. They are showing the desire despite the failings in ability and mentality. Let's take them there with us, because I am not accepting that we are going down.

If we do, I'll be there to see us back up, but right now, we control our destiny and that is in the top flight of English football.

I think the Relegaton dogfight will go to the wire and a few favourable results from Leeds and Burnley will be needed to get Everton over the line.

We are now in a situation where if we better Leeds' performance at the weekend we are safe. If we equal it we need a draw v Palace on Thursday.
If the 12th man fails to inspire and we lose ground, we still have a game in hand which could take us back above Leeds before we go to Arsenal.

Living in West Yorkshire I know a lot of Leeds supporters. They are convinced they will be playing in the lower league next year. You think we have problems. Their response to adversity has been to try to kick their way back and they now find themselves short of players due to suspension and injuries.
Even if Leeds win at the weekend we need 4 points from 3 games and 2 are at home.

Cheer up guys.

The future is Blue

I think we have to be realistic this is a very poor Everton team, that will need major surgery in the summer whatever league we are in. I think Lampard was between a rock and a hard place yesterday, did he change a side that had beaten Chelsea and Leicester and knew he would come in for some almighty stick if he did and it went wrong. I have been saying for over 12 months this side lacks goal scorers and that was again evident last night. We also don't create a lot of chances and a little surprised that Lampard hasn't had a bigger impact in that aspect of our game.
Anthony Gordon is improving which is great to see, but its no use being able to go past people like he does without either picking out a pass in the opponents box or taking the opportunity to score. The exact same argument is also true of Demarai Gray who looks a shadow of the player he was earlier in the season.

I could understand playing Iwobi at wing back against Chelsea and Leicester, but did we really need a wing back against a very poor Watford team. Going back to my point about lack of goal scorers despite not playing for weeks Andros Townsend is still 2nd in our list of goal scorers this season. We get practically nothing from any of our midfield players as far as goals and they arent that great in creating much, that includes Delph, Allan, Doucoure, Gomes or Davies when fit. So basically if Richarlison doesn't score we really struggle for goals.

Obviously we are stuck with this group for the remaining games and we will need to find a better system to help create and score goals in the remaining games. I am not a big fan of DCL but seeing Rondon couldn't last for 90 minutes he is the only option to play down the middle which lets Richarlison return to his most effective position which is wide left. Again the back 4 played well last night but will face sterner tests in the next few games. I think all the players have put a shift in over the last few games and some seem to be running low on energy. I am far more positive about us staying up than I was a few weeks back.

Finally yet another magnificent display from the supporters who were at Watford, if it was just down to the effort of these guys we would be nowhere near the relegation battle. But I think if we had just been a little bit braver last night their magnificent support may have been rewarded with a win.

Last night, you could see that they thought they are safe. Maybe they are and maybe a close escape will transform the club. But without a total clear out at Finch Farm, we will be here again.

The negativity is due to a lack of confidence is the Everton Squad. There is always the possibility of a apathetic performance which would be dangerous in a relegation dog fight.

As for the future, I would keep, Pickford, Richarlison, Keane, Mykolenko, Iwobi, Godfrey, Gordon, Mina and Gray. The rest can go, and Lampard can build his team for next season, in the Premier League of course?

I too think we’ve got to take a punt on DCL starting in place of one of Gray/Gordon at the weekend, and maybe 1-2 other changes too for a bit of freshness (even tho it’s still ‘rock and hard place’ as you said!)

Assuming they are fit maybe:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Holgate Mykolenko
Allan Iwobi Delph
Gordon DCL Richie

Will need Gordon and Richie to put in another monster shift, but it’s now or never really so get the points then get a rest.

Hopefully the 12th man will do the trick on Sunday!

It's not easy being a blue and I for one will be glad of the rest when the season concludes.

Our number of wins is not much different to any club below 8th. The thing that's really killed us is losing games we should have at least drawn.

And we've long struggled to break down teams who don't come at us - basically because we're not very good and it's easier to score on the break against a more ambitious team.

So last night was OK. Leeds lost, got another player sent off, another injured and took their goal difference towards the -40 mark.

In my view, if more than a half-dozen re-appear we shall do no better whomsoever is managing them !

Assuming we get NO points from our three remaining games, they need one win to overtake us. Their two remaining games are home to Brighton then away at Brentford. To those Blues worried about the Bees when they visit Goodison on Sunday, just how much more worrying are they to Leeds as a proposition on their home patch in West London? They have had the single most stellar season in their history, and will want to celebrate with their home fans by delivering a win over Leeds.

I think Leeds will at best scrape a home win over Brighton, meaning we require only one point from three games; and I fancy that (and likely more) will be coming our way on Sunday. If Brentford do provide an upset in Liverpool, then how much more likely is it that they will give Leeds a slapping when they play them in West London!

Then there's Burnley. Their three remaining games are Away to Spurs. Away to Villa (Note: a team that beat them at Turf Moor 1-3 in their most recent outing), and then home to Newcastle. At best, I see them getting 3 points on the season's final day, with their goal difference taking a battering in the meantime, perhaps as much as 4 or 5 goals worse off than now.

So, in that scenario, I see us needing at most 2 points.

We're now unbeaten in the last three, having conceded just once. Burnley have won two and lost one, four goals for, and four against. Leeds, who have admittedly had perhaps the harder games, have lost all three with a goals for of one, and nine against. So. we're perhaps the form team too.

I think Leeds will go down, and we have an outside chance of overhauling Southampton whose goal difference – on the back of a 0-3 defeat away at Brentford (watch-out, Leeds) – is worse than ours, and they have to face Liverpool at St Mary's and Leicester away at the King Power. Nul points for Soton, I fancy!

COYBB, play as you can and let us sleep easy in our beds come Sunday!

We'll beat Brentford and/or Palace and be safe before the final game against Arsenal which is perfect. In fact I see Leeds losing to Brighton, us beating Brentford and it's game over with 2 games so spare. Their goal difference is effectively an extra point to us.

Burnley will lose to Spurs and probably Villa so they're not a threat now either.

We got through our so called 'tough' games and we're the form team of the 3.

I think we'll win both home games.

Not that long ago, we used to compete with our neighbours twice a year. Nowadays, they can play kids against us and still smack our arse.

Burnley have 9pts from 12 in their last 4 games, they have had a week off to prepare for Spurs who only have 2 days rest. They will believe that this is a good chance to get a result.

Chris 24,

I never think like that and always think the opposite, my mind Leeds and Burnley to finish on 40 pts, we need 4 more pts and we stay up on goal difference.

I would have been tempted to take the last 20 with both Calvert-Lewin and Dele last night. Just needed a moment of quality.

Allan was a waste of a sub.

However, stop the negativity.

Leeds are imploding like headless chickens.
I fancy Brighton to draw on Sunday, and Brentford to beat Leeds at home. Therefore 1pt to Leeds.

However, with that scenario a win/draw from our next 3 games will be more than enough to stay up.

If Spurs win tonight, Burnley will get roasted on Sunday, if Spurs lose tonight, they could get something!, and then home to Newcastle, draw at best 1pt. Possibly 2pts. Which puts Leeds on the bottom end of the slippery slope.

Although it is 1 from 3 mathematically, it’s Burnley or Leeds for me.

Undoubtedly the 12th man faithful will do their part before and during the match on Sunday.

Have faith and be positive!!!

It doesn't matter what we would have been happy with 3 games ago, that isn't how sport works. As things had turned out, we had a very good opportunity to really ramp up the pressure on Leeds, who are crumbling, but not dead yet.

I wouldn't have chosen a different starting XI but you would have hoped we had some real options to throw on for a charge in the last 30 minutes.

The 1 point gained could still be significant, but I think the extra benefit of 3 points at this stage of the season made it worth going all out for the win. If that was us ‘going all out' then perhaps the players have run out of steam which doesn't bode well for picking up points in the last 3 games even with home advantage and the backing of the fans. Even if they have reserves of strength and energy left, I think it is quite insulting to both Brentford and Crystal Palace to dismiss them as capable of beating us.

As things stand, Leeds and Burnley know they can still put huge pressure on us and will presumably be throwing everything into this weekend's fixtures.

I'm not predicting anything, but I'd be much happier on 38 points right now.

We did not want to be cavalier last night, but we did want to be much more positive and driven than we were. I also feel a certain vital momentum was lost too.

Just beat Brentford and Palace.

And we've long struggled to break down teams who don't come at us.”

Sorry, Robert, but that reads as a non sequitur to me, and for me, the prevalence of losses below 8th shows the small margins between the teams in that third tier that mean any of the three results are of similar likelihood when they meet.

I agree that we seem to have a particular problem when we get the opportunity to dictate the tempo in games but can you quantify how many games we lost against teams that don't come at us? How many of those losses would have been changed into draws by 1 goal? That is what it would take to change any of our 6 draws into wins.

There is also a more significant points advantage of wins versus draws. 12 points if we improve those 6 draws (including last night) by one more goal in our favour whereas we'd need to do possibly more in 12 of our losses to get the same benefit.

The constant light of hope, BMD, touch wood is taking shape, and will in time be a magnificent stadium befitting of the best football club in the world.

A month ago, many had resigned to the fate of Everton, going down, but the spirit of the Evertonians, guts, passion, desire and fervour to see their club succeed, has been the decisive factor in turning the form around.

So last night, bloody frustrating, a point is a point, and hopefully by Sunday night, Everton will be secure, if Burnley and Leeds loose and Everton win.

UTFT!

As for us, thanks for the consideration and consider yourself one of the club, yours will likely be up for a while and that is a good thing. It will be ugly since we will be going for a point but, if the Bees could go forward a bit much and give us a decent break or two, that would keep our more concerned segment of support from hurling insults of incompetence. Keep it going, man.

I coached for many years down here in West London for Hayes and then Hayes & Yeading and saw many of the Brentford youth teams. Sad that it has disappeared as I understand??

You caught a good one with your current manager and his connections to Denmark. Absolute steal. I hope you hold on to him. I suggested him when I was saying Hail Mary's when the Benitez rumours surfaced in the summer.

The way Brentford has built their club is a fine example. Yes, they invested and that cost money, but as Everton has shown, simply throwing money at it recklessly isn't the answer.

Well done Brentford, but give us the points at the weekend please!!

I find it refreshing that you have posted a complimentary tribute to Everton. I could never understand how a sport that used to brings fans together could be the cause of hatred and violence.

I first experienced it in the late 60s when Manchester United fans visited Goodison Park (no crowd segregation in those days). Everton won 3-0 and when the third goal went in we were bombarded by coins. It was the beginning of a long period of football violence, that has not yet been eradicated.

I can remember when we could go to away games, share a drink with home supporters, and walk to the ground saying "May the best team win". Here in Liverpool, fans of both clubs could share a drink with each other, and stand side by side in the ground.

I'm afraid that friendly banter has now become hatred, and that's why I congratulate you for bringing a degree of sportsmanship to this site.

When you look at the cost of Brentford's squad and the way they were beginning to really fall like a stone, then what Duncan says @39 is something that will probably only be rectified properly, with a few good signings for next season, which is also something we need to do ourselves really.

I thought Brentford were on their way back down, and then suddenly they introduced real quality in Ericksen, haven't looked back, and definitely deserve to be playing premier league football again next season, so I just hope we can join you, mate!

Beating Arsenal would be a bonus and could move us further up the table.

Just thinking of the positives. COYB

He had a small "new boss" bounce but that has really disappeared and keeping eleven men on the field seems too much for them. I can not see Brighton losing there as this is The Tykes' last chance to give themselves some hope.

Those of us who were subjected to some of the most violent and cynical play seen at Goodison in the sixties will have no regrets to see their current bunch of fans, thugs and divers back where they have belonged for most of their history. I hope Revie is spinning uncontrollably in his grave or is his spirit offering back-handers to the Brighton team.

Sound bitter? Yes! After the 1964 game when the ref took both teams off the pitch, my Dad would not let me go for quite a time afterwards.

My mate's mam lived in Chiswick, very close to the Thames, and there's a couple of lovely bars we used to drink in many years ago. John Thaw was a regular drInker in one of them on a Sunday. My mate's sister also lived in those apartment blocks right next to Brentford's ground so I know the area well and had some great nights in West London.

It's been a breath of fresh air this season to have Brentford and Brighton doing really well and I look forward to playing you next season when you try to avenge this weekend's loss to Everton. 😁

Hopefully Frank makes a couple of changes for the Brentford game to freshen things up a bit because it was mental fatigue that cost us against Watford, I think. I'm not a big fan of his but I think Calvert-Lewin has to start now to try and hold the ball up. Let Richarlison get back to his normal game of cutting in from the wing.

Allan may also be the player who drives us forward that bit more too and Doucouré can hopefully do something useful and mop up given that he has no great strength doing much else.

How true is that about our midfielders not scoring goals. Shocking really and this should be high on Frank's list of future players.

I'm hopeful the Goodison faithful can drive us to victory with a comfortable 2-0 win. COYB

Everton and our crowd will have to bring it all to the table to get a result, it won't be easy. I think we will have a couple of changes for the game but the emphasis will still be on keeping it tight and winning by the odd goal. Can we get results playing any other way?

We need a win and a draw in these next two games, as Arsenal will need a win on the last day for Champions League qualification. To get a result there in those circumstances will be very difficult. Sunday's match is a massive one for the club.

It would be good to get a regular column going with opposition fans posting before each game.