Benitez: We have to improve as a team

The lack of goalscoring ability throughout the side is alarming and needs to be addressed if we are ever to return to the top.

We'll do well this year. 6/1 to win without the “big 6”. Worth a few quid?

I'm not sure I expect him to make noticeable improvement within 4 weeks of being appointed. Let's see how he gets on this season.

Yeah. Those components would be a defence, a midfield and an attack.

For the same reason he can't buy a new right back, a decent winger, or a replacement for Sigurdsson.

We have Brazil's number nine, a player coveted by Real Madrid and Utd. We have England's understudy number nine and we have Kean one of the most highly rated young forwards. We are not "short" of strikers, they just weren't available/risked for a meaningless preseason friendly.

Which players turn is it to trot out the usual rubbish about ''how we need to improve''? boring!

Don't tease.

Thankfully, the man has been here before. He ignored the Chelsea "expert" fans, shrugged off the hostility, focussed on the job and won a trophy. He's made of thick skin and although not my choice has proven that again by taking the Everton job.

Once again, difficult to judge from a picture, but very hands on in terms of coaching? Where are his coaches?

I for one am looking forward to Saturday. It may cost me a forecasted £250 - £300 all in as usual, but I get to see Everton, be in my home city for a few hours and meet up with family.

And have chips, peas and onion gravy from the Goodison Supper Bar!!

I think that pre-game it will be fine, not the usual full-throated crowd, but I don't think there will be a chorus of boos either. During the game, depending upon how it's going, may see a more vociferous group start some anti-Rafa stuff, but most will likely sit on their hands if it's going badly.

Whatever happens, enjoy the day Danny, you can discuss the match with the dogs on Sunday.

Yes he did win a trophy with Chelsea but even that didnt persuade the majority to change their mind about him and he was sacked soon after that season finished. I think we might get off to a good start against Southampton who have lost Ings and might not have Ward Prowse for that game if Villa get their way.

Who bought Awobi?

Who brought in Delph, sick note.

James Rod is quality, but played 23 games and was crap in half of those.Sick Note.

Gbamin feel so sorry for his injuries terrible luck.

We got £150 million of center forward possibly out.

A decent player in many games £41million unavailable for we don't know how long.

Gomes??whos going to take a chance on him after a horrific injury.

We just gotta get on with it.Can feel sorry for ourselves.

Rafa wont iam sure.

Some how we gotta get a minimum of 4 points first two games.

Just don't think the club can sort things out until x mas.

Cant spend, knowbody wants to buy.

Well we could put Pickford up for sale?????,Richarlison?

Just behind the side Rafa.

I'm just hoping that the return of fans will improve our home form because our away form will certainly be worse this season when we revert to rabbits-in-headlights at away grounds.

We'll have a purple patch and awful ones too.

It was a shit show first half but even with our makeshift team we created chances we should have scored from and we had a certain penalty waived away. I thought Gray looks promising, direct and very pacey. He's going to give us something we've been lacking and stretch defences. I think he will prove to be one of the best signings of the summer.

So it's not all doom and gloom, with players back we can look very different on Saturday and get off to a good, winning start. I'm apprehensive but looking forward to Saturday.

He deserves a chance in my book. The usual for me, 4 or 5 games on the bounce defeated then the pressure is on. Works both ways though. The reverse and he deserves plaudits.

I don't know what the guy is supposed to say here. We're great, will finish 6th, qualify for Europe and get to Wembley.

No. Sorry, I'm quoting idiots like me who are just getting excited about Saturday!

He is stating the obivious. I wouldn't say in a play down expectation Moyes kind of way, but just being realistic. I think what he is saying is this bunch of players can and need to perform better. On paper, it's not a bad team.

Fingers crossed this doesn't turn sour

For where we are now (challenging for Europe), a midfield consisting of options such as Davies, Gomes, Gbamin, Allan, Doucoure, and Gueye competing for 2 or 3 places wouldn't be too bad.

Not including the wider, more forward players there.

Link

Player wages drive cost. If we pay them more, the clubs charge more. Basic economics; wages drive up prices. We all want a wage increase, but it ultimately causes prices to go up. Its all relative.

This probably belongs on another thread I read today, but it's sadly why Everton have fell behind. I will be at Goodison on Saturday. I will go to the Goodison Supper Bar before the match and maybe buy a half time pint in the ground. But then I will meet my cousins on County Road and head into town.

Aside from the £50 ticket (I'm in the Upper Bullens) and the fiver I spend in the stadium, how much match day revenue are Everton making from the match going supporter?

Compare that to the day trippers who follow our red cousins. Coach trips and day trips from Oslo who descend on the club shop to spend a fortune. And Tottenham's model. I had insight into that in my previous role. They designed the stadium to change the match day experience. They have bars and restaurants all around the concourse with the aim being supporters go there prior to kick off and remain after the final whistle rather than hitting local pubs and chip shops. Harsh reality, but we are miles behind. Maybe BMD is designed with that model in mind.

Everton will get £55 of my £300 expenditure on Saturday. Other clubs such as Tottenham would get more of that £300. I would imagine tourist fans visiting Old Trafford would put even more in the Manchester United coffers than that.

I appreciate television revenue is what matters now, but we are still a fan base that goes the match and goes home or to the local. Our match day expenditure doesn't go into the club. Our match day revenue is poor.

Not a criticism by the way. We are very traditional, which a lot of us still love and cherish. Just a reality whether we like it or not.

Hi Danny [40] regarding the Rafa Benitez appointment, does the phrase 'Innocent until found guilty' come to mind?

At least give him some months. Then if it it not going acceptable, which for me is anything that keeps us well clear of relegation, the inevitable will happen.

On paper (big if I know) we actually have a very decent first XI, bench is then light and squad depth has been an issue for years. With all our players back and fit, we can match most teams if the players actually put a shift in collectively. Townsend and Grey give us a couple more attacking players to add to Richie so give us more options going forward. Not going to set the world on fire but hardworking and with pace and better than the likes of Iwobi.

Winning puts smiles on everyone so with S'ton, Leeds and BHA first three games, we've got a really good chance to get some points on the board early. With fans in the stadium I certainly expect us to get a result at home against S'ton, especially with no Ings in the side. Then take it one game at a time.

Won't be too many tears to see Iwobi gone - another £40m odd down the pisser, all in. Can't see Atalanta paying that much if he does go there.

Yeah I heard about the "abuse" he received at OT, but 5-6 different people have told me it was 1-2 people singing "Your getting sacked in the morning" The general perception being, it was just a couple of wags having a chuckle.

Rafa will face trial by Goodison. Thats inevitable, but the crowd will give him a fair crack before they give their verdict

The forums will not be as patient. If he follows Ancelotti's pattern of trying to spoil games he will get it from the get go and I for one will be front and center, but If he shows signs of intent and looks to attack and win games he will be afforded more time.

Most Evertonians know he is up against. He has inherited a total shit show, but if he can make a go of it. His past links to Liverpool will be forgotten as quickly as was when Sheedy, Harper and Beardsley won the crowd over.

Ditch the zombie stuff we have been served up for five years. Get the players attacking with intent and passion and any thoughts of a toxic atmosphere will evaporate.

Everyone knows we can't afford marquee signings and we are still lumbered with expensive dross until their contracts expire, so let's not get our hopes up too much and get behind the team while they struggle to their customary mid-table end of season. There are plenty worse clubs out there, things could be worse.

The two outfield signings have much-needed pace. But we still need a few strategic signings, which need to double as replacements for those not up to the effort and finish required. Iowbi hopefully has found a new home, if reports are possibly true. Please!

Pickford was given a clean bill of health on Toffeeweb, but please no more howlers Jordan.

We're fucked folks.

The fan base is on a knife edge. We're worried, and we're fed up. We're not even signing promising kids this year, and the stadium is too far away to be the sticky plaster. The ‘last straw' will be negative football, and negative “striker-less” selections. There will not be patience.

The problem for Moshiri is this was his pick 100%. Most of us didn't want him. He can win us round by going for it, but if this turns bad it's going to get real bad. Brands, Moshiri and Bill will ALL be in the crosshairs next time.

PS what's with the lack of training vids on the main site???

Also in terms of goals scored and win percentage I find it amusing the flack he receives by some fans.

The biggest problem with his departure isn't Rafa, it's the 'starting all over again' that's so frustrating.

Duff players being given 5th chances, back to figuring out zonal making doesn't work, realising how slow and average our spine of the team is.

Talk about groundhog day. I'm hoping Brands has a few tricks up his sleeve because we need a whole set of magical performances, not a one trick pony.

The spotlight should be on the players. They are the serial offenders here. The problem at Everton is not the manager - 3 of our last few managers are now managing Real Madrid, Barcelona and Belgium! Some of the biggest jobs in world football currently.

Any idiots sharpening their swords for Benitez have learnt nothing from the last 5 years. Yes he was Liverpool manager, but if we don't give him a chance, we are not giving Everton a chance.

We are obviously skint. There were rumours Ancelotti had a meeting with Brands shortly before he left, and that meeting didn't go well apparently. Obviously Ancelotti knew we needed reinforcements and wasn't prepared to stay if he didn't have money to spend. At least Rafa has taken the job and is prepared to give it a go even with no money.

I still expect us to bring in a player or two - possibly on loan. It will be interesting to see what happens with our squad in the next 3 weeks or so. I don't think we can really judge Benitez until Christmas. We may well end up with some late arrivals. They will need a little while to get up to speed.

The fans have got to get behind the team and manager. We'll be cutting off our nose to spite our face if we are on the manager's back from the start, or even 10 games in. Give him a proper chance. Get behind the team.

If Moshiri and co wanted to give the fans attacking football then Benitez was not the right appointment and expecting the leapord to change his spots feels like a one way ticket to frustration. I'm not expecting attacking football but I am expecting a bit more passion and intensity than we saw from Ancelloti's team, one thing Benitez will not stand for is laziness.

My best hope is something like the better Moyes years, an organised hard working team who get the ball forward quickly and are hard to beat. If we get that allied with some good results and a 7th-ish finish I reckon a fair few will be happy enough and perhaps attacking football may come further down the line.

Mr Benitez himself would know he was not a popular choice and his reason for applying for the job was not for the love of the club. We are nothing more than a paycheck for a waning manager.

Clubs around us like Villa, Leicester and West Ham have all strengthened whilst we appear to be continuing going backwards. The other difference this season is that the newly promoted sides don't appear to be pushovers.

The usual suspects, Moshiri, Kenwright, Brands and Walsh, have a lot to answer for in terms of the very weak squad.

I don't blame Rafa for taking the job but there will be extra pressure on him because of his background.

Do you go with the 4 centre-backs to be defensive and subsequently play the "zombie" football we bemoaned last season.

Or give the team an outlet like Digne, who gets forward, attacks and provides the type of service Calvert-Lewin thrives off?

All opinions and views but I'm for the latter, just replicate it on the right. Play with width and attacking intent. Not a Pulis style back four made up of centre-backs.

To the public they say that the players have to improve, but the real work is at Finch Farm where a change in attitude needs to happen. Benitez performance will be determined by his ability to do this. Ancelotti failed.

On the field the objective will be to keep a clean sheet and nick a goal. Everton will be defensive, changing to offensive when the opportunity arises. They will never be all out attack until there is alot of further development.

Why is this the case?. Everton have not got enough players with the tactical and technical ability. Whats more some players and some Finch Farm Staff of questionable ability are not prepared to put in the work and effort necessary, and cannot be depended on. This is what Ancelotti found out and Benitez is fully aware of.

Whilst Ancelotti talked of the need to improve work and effort at the end of last season. Benitez is on to the case before the season starts.

Ancelotti would have been looking for additional pace, a glaring weakness last season, Benitez has brought in two with pace in this transfer window, on a budget. Two other players are needed the consensus on ToffeeWeb would suggest at right back and midfielder.

In attack it seems that the emphasis is on more players with finishing opportunities. I personally think that this is necessary, but also a aware professional clinical finisher is needed. Can't see the latter being a priority ahead of getting the team defensively together. Everton still have players and some training facility staff below the standard required to implement the plan.

Even with rested and injured players, the performance against Man U was a indictment of this.

I hear he is a cold fish so won't be sensitive to all the sh*t he'll cop if we dare to lose the opener. Having said that, I'm striking a tenner on a victory for Blues !

The defence thing reminded me of Stoke doing it at Goodison several years ago, lining up with 4 centre backs.

Random memory from that day was being surprised at seeing Ryan Shawcross leave the players entrance on his own, in tracksuit with his bag over his shoulder and walk down Goodison Road as if he was a kid just finished on the Park & heading home!!

Rodriguez, brilliant though he is, is a problem as well as a solution. This is why he is unwanted by clubs that are actually competing for honours.

Injuries and an inability to play a settled line up then played a part too.

That is why Ancelotti reverted to his horribly defensive approach - which in fairness was quite successful for a spell.

The wheels really came off as the injury situation and loss of form exposed our paper thin squad.

This all happened at the same time as Ancelotti suffered serious personal circumstances - including what must have been a terrifying burglary for his daughter.

Let's be honest, him and his team must have also cottoned on that FFP and Premier League rules were also going to start biting. These guys are not amateurs.

They rolled the dice, tried to get a tune out of a failed squad with a star manager and a broken galactico - and it didn't work. The club and strategy if you can call it that is not set up for success.

Ancelotti and James himself realised that he would get no protection from referees. This is the nature of the Premier League, unrelenting exposure of a team's weaknesses wins matches. It is studied in depth and exploited to the maximum.

I love watching James play, especially some of his forward passes from right to left are out of this world. BUT I hate even more seeing us being repeatedly exploited when we are left exposed.

How would he fare in a 4-4-1-1 set up behind DCL?, I don't know but there maybe a way of us keeping compact as well as incorporating his mercurial talent.

As for the magical Director of Football... well, we all got hoodwinked over that one; what an expensive disaster. Just hope – well, pray really – that he can make us competitive: win, lose or draw. While many don't deserve it, it just lets us show our support for the club.

"You have to play with what you have and not with what you wish you had."

Rafa has his work cut out for him undoubtedly. Hopefully he'll be given the ability to bring more players in who fit what he's trying to accomplish.

Mike #77,

When you look at Brands's acquisitions, he doesn't look too shabby:-

Digne, Godfrey, Richarlison, Kean, Nkounkou, Branthwaite, Mina, Bernard (Free), Gomes, Gbamin (injuries not down to Brands) – with the only highly questionable imports being Delph and Iwobi (who many think was down to our owner).

If Everton are like Liverpool then no cash is being accepted for ale and food; cards only. It caused quite a bit of bother at Anfield on Sunday, not sure about last night.

On Sunday, one old fella in his seventies ordered his pint and produced his money, “Sorry” said the waitress “Cards only.”

“Cards” said the old fella, ”I've never had them.” Luckily for the old guy, the waitress was a diamond, put her finger to her mouth and said “Ssshhussh, it's on the house!”

If I go the game on Saturday, I'll keep my eye out for a benevolent looking waitress and go through the above motions adding tears to the occasion.

I've become so metropolitanised over the years that I can't remember the last time I had cash! I'm just glad they didn't have this contactless thing around when I was younger. I'm just about responsible enough now to manage it!!

I've heard that Dave behaves like royalty, in so far that he never carries cash. :)

Dave, If Vindictive Vera is on shift, you'll have no chance of gaining any sympathy, she's as hard as nails and even checks that 10p pieces are fake or not, nothing gets past her.

This Saturday, the line-up could be the same that started on the first game last season against Tottenham... Tottenham 0 Everton 1, Team: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne, Doucouré, Allan, Gomes, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Rodriguez. 11 experienced full international players, who started off at the beginning of the season okay and were in the running near the end of the season for a Top 6. We all believe that we needed another midfielder, and I notice someone already commenting about Gbamin before he has even got a chance to prove himself, and a right-back.

The time to start criticizing the Director of Football is at the end of the transfer window; with 3 weeks to go, there is time for movement in and out of players.