Ferguson named caretaker boss following Benitez's dismissal

I don't think he could do worse than all the fruit cake appointments we've had since Moyes

Only question is whether Moshiri would respect him and back him properly in the transfer market

I really do think that Moshiri has been a real liability, a real setback to the club

Gray and Andros are perfect for that.

The good thing is that Villa now won't know what is coming their way attack wise. It's a little worrying that our defence has no identity because the coach flipped from 3 centre halves to 2 centre halves. Villa could well target 2 centre halves who aren't well positioned or sure of themselves.

We've got next to no backroom staff. Medical guy gone. Training team gone.

You'd think there'd be a lesson learnt.

Only 1 game left in January. A win would be great but may send us deluded fans expectations too high for the rest of the season.

NOW

He was always up for the big occasion so he knows what he needs to do and that's fire up this team. There should be no Rondon in the team and certainly no two-man midfield, so we won't be overrun.

Given the mess we are in, there has never been a bigger opportunity for the tattooed Scotsman to stake his claim as a genuine contender for the job. The only pressure he has to live with is that it could endanger his love affair with the club but nobody can blame him for the mess.

His job is to coach. Get the best out of the players at his disposal.

That's where we keep going wrong. We keep on giving coaches control over signings, sales, appointments. That's why we have such an uneven squad - they're all someone else's view of what recruitment needs to be for a certain style of play.

We have winnable games in front of us. I know I said give me a day or 2 after Norwich, but Villa, only 4 points ahead of us - we have a game in hand. Newcastle; big game - mind the gap. Leeds, 3 points ahead - we have a game in hand. Southampton, only 5 points ahead - we have 2 games in hand.

Strap in for the ride. Here we go.

Random one and that headline photo is a couple of seasons old (Umbro attire), but has Duncan been taking advice from Rooney on the hair transplant treatment? Maybe they could make a decent pairing after all.

Heard rumblings in the past that Dunc and Michael Keane don't really get along, so will keep an interested eye on the CB pairing he presents to us against Slippy and his Villans.

Like snakes and ladders following this club, and we've slid all the way back to the beginning again. So familiar, so depressing, so unassailably Everton.

Still in for Garcia but stable, functional football will do

I had to endure watching the gutless frauds of England cricketers getting shafted by the Aussies. But what's giving me a real headache is the goings on at our club. I, like many others was prepared to give Benitez the benefit of the doubt but he's such a stubborn, vindictive so-and-so with a diversive attitude wherever he goes; he had to go.

But to me the one thing that Moshiri has to do sooner or later is to sack the whole Board, pay Bill off, and bring in proper professional personnel that know how to run a Premier League club, do not appoint a new manager till the Summer and hope Ferguson and Baines can keep us up.

Good luck, fellow Blues.

"The good thing is that Villa now won't know what is coming their way attack wise."

"We are likely to go 4-4-2 and back to the classic Catterick / Kendall ploy of getting the ball to the flanks at the optimum moment to switch it into the box for Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. Gray and Townsend are perfect for that."

They do now if they read your post!!!

"You've got till the end of the season... keep us up and we'll discuss things then."

"I'm a footballer get me out of here"

then "Would I lie to you"

followed by "Only Fools and Evertonians"

and finally

Master Mind -
BK specialist subject The Wonderful Blue History of Everton FC "
Moshiri specialist subject " Money and how to lose it!
Duncan - specialist subject "How to deal with splinters in the Ass"
DBB - specialist subject "How not to run a football Club.

Gray, DCL, Richarlison, Townsend, Gordon all want the ball early so they can attack space (space that doesn't exist when we play slow).

Allan and Doucoure don't want the ball deep. Neither do any of our centre backs.

Quick to the wings. One midfielder sits, one midfielder applies pressure. Defenders primarily defend.

It's old fashioned but we've got the perfect players for the style. I'm actually looking forward to Duncan implementing it.

I
AGREE
COMPLETELY!

We'll set up very pragmatic, and play a very straightforward game.

We'll put 3 dudes in central midfield.
Our attacking players won't be constricted and will look to get forward.
DCL, Rich, and Mina will be back starting.
Dunc will have them fired up.

Honestly, I'd just sign Dunc to an 18 month contract and see what he can do. We have to have some stability at the Club. If the ship goes down, Dunc will gladly go down with it. But he'll lead and motivate, and he will play simply but to our strengths. And we'll be better off for it. I personally highly doubt we'd go down with Dunc in charge. He'd will us out of relegation, along with everyone around him.

If Dunc is interviewed and says he doesn't want the position, I'll cry. Seriously, cometh the hour. At what point will he step up and grab that brass ring, if not now?

Everyone going to the game, get behind Dunc and the squad. Make the Chelsea game pre-Carlo look like child's play. The support should be so loud to the point of ear damage coming out of the stadium.

Rock Goodison's foundation, please.

I was 'meh' under Rafa. That Blue fire is burning again at the prospect of Dunc to the rescue. I hope we fucking destroy Villa, lead by Slippy G.

And all those lost souls revealing at our predicament realize that no matter how bleak the landscape, they can only wish they were Blue.

Roar, scream, yell, sing, spit, frenzy, berserk, claw, curse. Lift that team and remind them who they play for.

Have at least some belief that Duncan will field a more sensible team, and the players too will be lifted. Still, will not be an easy game as Villa look half decent. If the Old Lady can generate the atmosphere there was during the second half against Arsenal, we can win this.

Villa vastly improved under Gerrard. Everton, on the other hand are falling like the proverbial stone. Rafa has had a nightmare with 1 win in thirteen (a third of the season). Carlo snuck out the back door with full saddle bags after an almost identical run.
One told us he didnt realise the magnitude of the job. The other whined that he was not a magician - Even though his tenure cost the club 100m.

Surely we cant expect an "Amateur", A "pigeon fancying living stealer".. A "work shy hanger on".. An "ex-con" who killed 50 priest and 400 hundred innocent bystanders, to come in and do what these multi title winning superstar managers couldnt do ?...With the same group of worthless players ?...Surely ???

Come on feel the fucking noise

They are very close to getting their man as manager.
I don't think this helps in the players' preparation at all. Will they be looking at each other and saying, what are we supposed to do?

If Ferguson and Baines are in charge of the game this weekend, I want them to solidify the defence. This is not a game to play Mykolenko and Patterson - their time will come, still a lot of games to be played before the end of the season. I have said it repeatedly - I would be very happy if they both are played in gradually and given an opportunity to show their abilities and cement their places in the starting XI by the end of this season, so that they are ready and confident to start the next season.

I would go with Carlo's flat back 4 of last season - Holgate, Mina, Branthwaite, Godfrey. A 4 man midfield of Gordon, Doucoure, Allan and Gray would provide the necessary protection as well as width. A front 2 of Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. Kenny, Keane, Gbamin, Gomes, Townsend, Dobbin, Tosun on the bench. (El Ghazi not available). It is imperative to build solidity from the back - make us hard to break down, try to get a clean sheet. It is not going to be easy against Villa - they have Ings, Ollie Watkins, Coutinho, the young lad - Ramsey, McGinn, Buendia, plus Digne and Cash on the flanks. But, fortunately, we have most of our key players back, and in that sense - Ferguson/Baines are lucky, because with all key players fit and firing, we should be a match for anyone in the league (bar the top 2/3).

Villa's tails will be up after that fight back at the weekend in a second half when they could easily have won it by all accounts.

I watched the goals and although in hindsight it was never going to happen, I'd have taken him, especially on loan. If not starting for Barcelona is the threshold, then it's not a bad one.

Do not play with 2 in midfield.

For me, I'd try to get 2 ahead before locking down the drawbridge. I think go with the following, but drill into fullbacks it's a 3 not a 5! Make sure one of Allan or Doucoure sits, and if they won't find someone who does.

Pickford
Godfrey Mina Branthwaite
Patterson Doucoure Allan Mykolenko
Gray Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Rafa played 4-4-2 at Norwich and it was the absolute worst performance I've seen in 20-odd years.

I'm happy to have Dunc manage for the next few games whilst we hire someone, but I'd also like the long term choice to be in place before the end of the season. A new manager will need to assess the mismatched squad. And if he comes in the Summer, that will be valuable time lost in preseason.

But back to the game: I really hope we play 4-3-3. If we play 4-4-2, we'll be ripped apart in midfield (again).

Mykolenko - Godfrey o r Branthwaite - Mina - Patterson or Godfrey
Allan - Doucoure - Gomes
Richardson - Calvert-Lewin - Gray

Gordon - Townsend - Dobbin from the bench.

I truly thought last season – with all of the fixture cancellations, games with no crowds and a raft of bizarre results – would be unique. Not so. This season is, to me, even more perplexing.

We have started with Ancelotti shocking us all by walking off to Madrid with his backroom team for his dream gig. We then had Benitez in at Moshiri's behest, much to the consternation of the fan base.

We had good results, then very, very bad results, reverting to the very Evertonesque pattern of allowing crap teams to gain their first victory in years against us, and our defence looking like they are petrified of set pieces.

Then there's Rondon. Oh, Lordy (or should I say "Lardy"?) Just. why?

Saturday is our big day, pick the right team Big Dunc, please just give us some hope that we are going to get out of this tailspin we are in. Buckle up, enjoy the ride.

“ex con who killed 59 priests and 500 bystanders “
Laughing my head off here. Are you sure he didn't rape the mouths of the dead in the aftermath?

Gerry @ 22 all the best to you.

Woke up tossing and turning, is there a perfect answer right at this moment? I'm torturing myself with the thought as I waking up.

No there isn't one.

So we have to go for unity in the short term, give the fans and club an adrenaline shot that will see us safe. There will be a few different ideas even on this though!

I'd go for Wayne Rooney as interim manager with Duncan Ferguson & Leighton Baines as his assistants. This set up until the summer, see how they perform as a unit and review the situation in June.

I see Wayne as more of a leader than Duncan who has been happy to be an assistant. Leighton is respected throughout the club and with fans too. Interesting yesterday that Rob spoke to Anthony Gordon and his reflex answer as to who he wants was not Duncan Ferguson, who he works with every day , but said he would like Wayne Rooney as manager.

Maybe this new dynamic - Wayne Rooney coming in - rather than just promoting Duncan would be a necessary physical change to the mood in the camp. Rather than a partial continuation of what we previously had. It would shake things up a bit and get the players switched on again and motivated.

Of course this may fail too, but I think at the moment it gets the fans excited and gives us a bit of stability. It will create a wave of enthusiasm and renewed passion that will carry us to safety.

It carries a risk, but the alternatives to this possibly carry even more.

Poor lad could be brought in, played twice, and then not fancied by future managers.

Edit: I missed Niels going on loan. Anyone managed to watch him?

As said before, attack Digne, let Gray or Richarlson run at him - but don't make it our Plan A, no Plan B, the be all and end all.

Make it a flexible 433 though, we're done with 2 in the middle, which can happen with 442, if the outside men get too far forward

El Ghazi Can't play, but Digne Can play??
Which fuckwit signed off on that little gem - the ex fuckwit manager? or the fuckwit ' Still having my cake and eating it good style' Chairman?

No wonder we're in the state we're in.

Only way round it would have been to drag out Digne negotiations till end of the month. After splashing the cash, I doubt we have luxury of that kind of risk.

The biggest mistake was not binning FSW early December, and killing Brands with no replacement lined up. We desperately need a midfield warrior in next 2 weeks, but who's going to ID them now?

What a mess.

That cricket team have got a collective heart the size of a pea, with the honourable exception of Wood and a clearly crocked Stokes.

If you need a chat, set up a free email and I'd be happy to converse with you doing that, or just keep posting on here. We've got to stick together, otherwise it truly has all fallen apart.

Take care mate. Hopefully hear more from you soon.

I would love to see a united front including Rooney, Ferguson, Baines, Carsley and Cahill. The latter 2 have gained their qualifications and, Carsley especially, are well respected in the game. I don't believe there would be many slackers with this type of back room team.

Everton need building block and stepping stones to success. And whilst everybody feels that Duncan will have limitations as a manager at the top level, I am confident that he would introduce some of the fundamentals that are absolutely required for Everton. Which include:

Playing with passion and intensity
Improvement in defending set pieces
More tackles and more ground covered each game
Making Goodison a difficult place to visit
Winning most of your home games
Making progress in cup competitions
Giving young players an opportunity
Giving Everton an identity

These are all very basic facets of the professional game. But they are simple things that have been overlooked.

The last fundamental should be the most important focus for the football club. Everton has lost its identity.

Rumours of Tim Cahill in an executive position. I couldn't agree more. An Evertonian. Passionate. With values that took him all the way to the top in his profession.

The role of a manager can be over complicated in the modern game. If Duncan can introduce those fundamentals then he is instantly going to improve the performances of our team.

Duncan may benefit from support from coaches and assistants who are more tactically and strategically astute than him. If so, recruit somebody into that role and let Duncan stick to what he is good at.

Duncan might not have the wide ranging knowledge of player profiles - put a recruitment structure in to support him.

He deserves an opportunity. And as Evertonians we deserve an opportunity to feel proud of our club once more.

Introduce those fundamentals and we are on our way there.

Mr Moshiri, how many more half baked ideas are you going to inflict on EFC? Get someone in who knows what they are doing, knows about EFC, knows what the fans want and will get rid of the ridiculous amount of dead wood. Stop buying crap ex Arsenal players and get players in that have grit, passion, pace, skill and any levels of urgency above that of a dead badger.

Being a laughing stock is not something we should tolerate in any way.

Rant over.

I just hope on Saturday we play players in their natural positions. A Right back, a left back, 2 central defenders.
Doucoure, Allan plus the best available in front/alongside them. (Probably Gomes). DCL or Richie if DCL isn't fit flanked by any 2 of Richie, Gordon, Gray, Townsend.

Rondon can take his under used boots and sling them in the Mersey.

Team talk is simple. 'Get out there and sweat blood for this club'.

The WR situation at Derby? Bear in mind that Derby were expected to go down. They have been playing, in many ways, without pressure. Like those relegated sides at the end of a season, they can spring a surprise result. So that needs to be factored in so I'm not entirely convinced on WR.

No to Martinez.

My wish is he tells the likes of Iwobi, Delph, Keane, Rondon, Iwobi, Tosun etc… that they will be training with the kids until they leave the club.

Just thinking about promoting Dunc to permanent manager, or bringing Rooney back might not be a bad thing. Now I don't know why I thought this, but it did not do the RS any harm promoting from within or bringing ex players back. Their most successful manager, Bob Paisley, was part of their “Famous Bootroom” under Shankly, as was Ronnie Moran, although I don't recall him winning any major honours during his time as manager. Both though, must have learned an awful lot under Shankly, a manager I begrudgingly admired. Then they brought Dalglish back, who didn't do too badly both with them and then Blackburn. Souness had a little dabble but won nothing.

Now I know football is a lot different today compared to the 70's and 80's. managers get no time at all nowadays before you're given your P45, but by appointing Duncan Ferguson and / or Wayne Rooney might not be such a bad thing.

I'm now off to wash my hands!!

If we get points against Villa it will be down to the crowd as I have no doubt every single one of us knowing the situation we are in, will drive the team on
There will be no excuses this time with everyone fit

Personally I'd like to see Patterson come in for Coleman, Godfrey for Myolenko - this kid must be shellshocked!- and Branthwaite for Keane to partner Mina
Allan, Doucoure and Gordon-this kid can see a pass
Gray DCL and Richie

Pickford

Holgate
Mina
Branthwaite

Patterson
Godfrey

Allan
Doucoure
Gray

Richarlison
DCL

Michael Enko needs a bit more time to adapt IMO.

I expect to see Godfrey in the left-back spot.

I don't not expect to see Rondon starting this game.

I imagine the theme will be get it wide to Townsend and Gray and their job will be to get the ball in the box as early as possible to Calvert-Lewin.

Simple. Unsophisticated. But recognising the need to play to the strengths of the players in the team.

He made me so proud when he came on as a youngster to see one of our own developing so fast BUT I simply see his loyalties now being as a Red, a Manchester Legend NOT a Blue.

If the plan was for him to nail his colours to the mast and say " I'm here for life", I might forgive him and go with it. But sadly I believe his colours are now firmly red and that's the job he truly wants. Am I wrong?

The main win is the immediate return of the feelgood factor and general goodwill to the team. That can only help performances without toxicity surrounding the team. Some people might not agree with the appointment, but everyone will back him.

If one good game turns to a run of form then Ferguson stakes his own claim. If it doesn't we bring someone in an at least there won't be any 'what ifs' surrounding the guy. I have to say I think it's less of a gamble to give him a shot.

Ancelotti wanted him as his Assistant at Madrid and that's not a jobs for boys appointment. That implies a decent coach with something considerable to offer on the biggest of stages.

Not. Of course. Was there anybody on this planet other than Rafa who believed that Rondon should be in the starting XI of a Premier League team?

He has to swap out Mykolenko for Godfrey, Mykolenko looks well off it and I'm hoping he isn't a parting millstone gift from Benitez, similar to Besic.

I've always thought the will of Goodison would not allow us to go down but I've never been more worried.

His credentials mean he's not short of ability – and has played at a much higher standard than Besic.

It's not all on him by any stretch.

My take is, no to Martinez, I thought that the Belgian FA might baulk at the approach for him, multi-tasking won't help their bid to get to Qatar and considering the history connected to his departure from Goodison, that surely would be a fly in the ointment anyway during any potential negotiations, yes? I don't understand why his name was even considered?

Mourinio..? no, No, NO. Best days behind him. Why do we need another err, "Hollywood" manager with the vain hope that he would automatically turn things around? His failure at Tottenham (where their owner's behaviour reminds me at times of our own) makes me think here is another character with an ego who would just swan off to a sunny European league if things were not going to order here, so no thank you.

I have read somewhere, news hack or whatever, that Tim Cahill's name has been mooted for a return to the club is some capacity – Technical or Executive. He is a man who I would love to become involved. Great player, a thinker of the game, good punditry views and a total "blueblood". His autobiography is a superb read as he has so much passion for Everton FC – I hope this rumour has legs.

Should Ferguson and Baines be at the wheel Saturday lunchtime, expect a total outpouring of noise and positivity at the Old Lady. Get the team and tactics right, the crowd to act as your 12th man and hopefully three points in the bag.

Just my two pennyworth..

COYB

I would also love Patterson and Branthwaite to start for this one. Just go for it from the off, with the Old Lady rocking with Big Dunc leading the charge and demanding from every player a real professional performance throughout... COYB. Must-win games coming up for survival!.

Either way I'm sure Rondon will do his best should he not be selected.

Now, thanks to Benitez, we are now looking for 5 or 6 people in key positions at the club, fitness guys, sports scientists – half the scouting staff have left. The headline of this post is Ferguson and Baines to take training well apart from Unsworth and Tait there is nobody else at the club who could take training.

I suggested a few weeks back that we should hire Peter Reid or Colin Harvey to come in and have a look at the coaching side to see what if any improvements need to be made. Both have managerial experience so will have experienced all the pitfalls there are in the game.

I hear many calling for the appointment of a new DOF, and listening to some posters the new DOF would decide what players to buy and what system the club should play. But what happens when a manager comes in and says "I have won cups and leagues and European cups and I don't want a man who has won nothing telling me what players I can have or what system we should be playing"?

Also, let's assume the new DOF is appointed and say Wayne is given the job to work alongside the new DOF. Then if the team fails miserably does the DOF get sacked alongside Wayne.

I could well imagine the reaction that some managers would have to the thought that all that power would be in the hands of someone else.

Let's keep it simple and get back to basics.

Build some confidence going in both the players and the fans, play what should be a simple game simply.

No more zonal marking from set-pieces, round pegs in round holes across the back, height and pace at the back to be able to push the whole team further up the pitch.

A midfield 3 able to put their foot in, press, play front-foot forward passes and get forward in support when they can.

A front three who can interchange to keep the Villa defence guessing, press with the midfield at the same time when we don't have the ball, all offering a goal threat.

More pot shots from distance instead of possession for possession's sake when around the opposition box.

Pickford
Patterson
Mina
Branthwaite or Godfrey
Mykolenko
Gordon
Allan (Captain)
Doucouré
Gray
Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin

With respect to you both, Colin Harvey is a 77-year-old man. This is a ludicrous suggestion.

As for Reid. Old school type of manager who was found out approximately 15 years ago and has done little else in the game since. I'm not sure what Reid could offer us if I am being totally honest.

Mario Zagalo was still assisting coaching the Brazilian national side in his 70s. Maybe a bit of a stretch suggesting Colin but for me he was the best coach this club ever had. I was only suggesting they came in not to run any coaching sessions but to try and assess what needs changing. I know everybody thinks the game has changed a lot since these lads were playing but its still 11 v 11.

Shankly was playing a high pressing game back in the 60s and not much has changed today – the most successful teams still pass and move. I remember listening to Paisley talk about his method of play and it sounded very simple it was get it and pass to a team mate in a better position. That still should be the mantra today – it's what Guardiola teaches at Man City.

It's a club, a long-term organisation. If someone joins it, they need to be committed to what we're trying to achieve. If they don't want to do that, then they can find a short-term ego-driven project somewhere else.

But it's Everton and we'd probably say okay – like we have with every manager.

All good points, which any team shouldn't need telling what to do, except for the zonal marking which are on the direction of the manager.

I've never understood the need for zonal marking. I've yet to see a "Zone" score a goal. It's simple, big man on big man, little man on little man, and for me, a defender on each post.

Our history shows that only ex-Blues really get our beloved club. I am sure Goodison Park will be rocking early doors on Saturday. Good luck Dunc... and fucking go for it, big time!

COYB

One things for sure: Goodison will be rocking with Big Dunc in charge and the team need to feed off the energy of the crowd and go at them from the off.

The amount of times we conceded first with Benitez at the helm was unbelievable. A nice early goal will get the crowd bouncing and carry the players to a well-needed win. COYBS!!!

I would imagine Rooney and Big Dunc would bring boxing into training to toughen up the slackers it's about time the corner flags got a hiding again.
I was hoping one of our US contributors could get the American Sniper to take the board out so long as Frank Drebbin doesn't foil the plot.

Sorry about the attempted humour it is just my relief at the Royal Belgium Football Association not allowing Brown Shoes anywhere near the club.

But am I alone in fantasising about the floodlit late February 2028 Derby match at Bramley-Moore Dock between a Liverpool managed by Steven Gerrard, and Wayne Rooney's Everton? The one where Everton win the Premier League?

Regarding formations, how do some fans still want three at the back? It's a disaster... 4-4-2 doesn't work either. Playing Allan and Doucoure in a 2-man midfield leaves us totally exposed, and overrun.

It has to be 4-3-3, Gomes came on against Arsenal in a 3-man midfield and our shape was spot on. I'd play Godfrey at left-back, and start Seamus, he'd definitely be fired up for it under Duncan, Patterson has played 6 games all season, not the game in my opinion.

On the DoF model, you probably know I'm a fan. It tends to work when you find a really good up and coming coach, so not one who has won European Cups etc - you're right in that sense. Nagelsmann at Bayern is a good example as well as his time at Leipzig under a DoF. Still only

I think it would work for Everton, but only if allowed to operate as it should (first problem) and not until the summer once we're through this shit show of a season.

Don't get why people always want a big name or someone with more experience – the only way Dunc will get experience is by giving him the chance. He has earnt it over the years and deserves his shot. Talk of Moshiri not trusting him with transfers is rubbish too. The big man couldn't do any worse than some of the so-called 'better' managers have done in the last 5 years.

One thing is for sure – he will unite the club and give us some passion back. Plus, he is interesting to listen to and talks sense – which will make a nice change after matches. He is the only Everton manager me and my mates ever made a special point of catching press conferences for when he took over before. That says everything about how inspiring he is.

Man Utd are doing a similar thing with the appointment of Rangnick after entering a tricky patch after losing their long term management structure.

Personally I like the DoF model – which is really no more than having some overall consistency, a sensible division of labour and the ability to freshen things up periodically with new coaches without disrupting the overall approach (eg, as per Wenger's Arsenal and Ferguson's Man Utd).

Once a good structure is in place that the big hitters at the club all buy into, success will follow. It can take time, but since I've been waiting since the late '80s / early '90s I can hang on a bit.

Unless we do this, we will just lurch from one short term appointment to the next while gradually losing ground on rivals until someone finally takes us down.

Harry Potter.

Everton truly are a basket case, well a basket of shite actually, and on self-destruct with ludicrous decisions like that one.

My instinct is to agree but I think the need to balance the books meant we had to seriously consider offers for any players and I presume we're not inundated with inquiries about the rest of the deadwood in our squad.

Whoever it is, we must get behind him!?

There was no inkling of Digne leaving to balance the books before Benitez started his shenanigans.

To balance books, you get rid of less able players, not the best ones, otherwise we're well and truly fucked.

I couldn't agree more and I'd add that the strategy needs to work back from the revenue (that being the thing which we can't affect significantly) and be reviewed and reworked every year or as our revenues change ie when there's a bumper TV deal.

I suspect we had an arrangement something like this which Marcel Brands was trying to manage but every so often Usmanov/Moshiri got excited and derailed everything.

I presume this strategic review which Benitez cited, involved aligning the wage and transfer budgets (OPEX and CAPEX) with our revenue in order we remain compliant with FFP/Premier league rules.

As we've learned (slowly, oh so slowly); having a rich benefactor means didley squat if it's against the rules to spend more than X% of your revenues.

Point is, no-one wants our shit players so you can't get rid of them until their contracts run out.

Do I think he's nailed-on to work or is a tactical magician……? To be honest, I have no idea. However, he will demand passion and the biggest help Big Dunc could get or need is us, the fans.

Everyone can get behind Dunc and we need to rock the Old Lady from start to finish, regardless how the match is going.

As for Rondon, I am sorry but there is no reason on the planet where he needs to be in the matchday squad.

I hope the early fervour for Martinez has gone away. If Kendall couldn't come back, then what hope had Martinez?

Ferguson? Rooney? Lampard? Mourinho... please no? I prefer Ferguson or Rooney to most of the names being bandied round, but do not believe that having played for Everton automatically makes you a better manager or better qualified to manage Everton.

Whoever it is they have their work cut out. The squad is disjointed, has been recruited by five managers without any coherence and lacks "legs". It cannot make up for its technical shortcomings, by effort and sweat.

Keeping them up will be an achievement.

I don't want a smoking, adulterant drink driver in charge of our impressionable youngsters, irrespective of whether he is England's leading goalscorer or left for Man Utd.

Sensible option is to let Ferguson manage until we can find an up-and-coming, winner (not Lampard) from the lower leagues, smaller Premier League club (Potter) or Europe. In the meantime, if Dunc's shooting the lights out, he gets the gig until he fails.

Why aren't we selling squad players then?

They are running their contracts down.. Tosun, Niasse, Bolasie, Walcott.. unless I'm missing a nuance to your point.

Give Duncan the job now then we can enjoy a nice FA Cup win come May.

"I don't want a smoking, adulterant drink-driver in charge of our impressionable youngsters."

But it would be okay for a ex-convict who headbutts policemen and attacks and beats up a supporter on crutches then?

Your moral concerns are admirable, but you seem happy to allow a man gaoled for GBH loose with the youngsters, but not a smoker?

I have always tried to live my life by the credo, "Let he amongst you..." etc.

Because of that I have no objection to either Rooney not Ferguson.

If Rooney comes in and gets us up where we belong, again, I don't care if he smokes 60 a day and drinks 20 pints a night – so long as he doesn't drive home afterwards.

The reason no-one wants our lesser players, Tosun and Delph are on massive wages, as was Bolasie and Walcott, and they'd prefer to run down their contracts, than take a wage cut.

Lampard & Rooney to be interviewed. I don't see a problem with that; a young manager is what we need – not a has-been.

We could do worse and have done worse. Moshiri will see that Lampard survived initially during his time at Chelsea using little spending money and, given that we are currently "cash-strapped" due to FFP rules, that will appeal to him.

Looking forward to seeing Duncan v Slippy G.

By the time the players work our plan out, we should have enough points in the bag, to continue with Dunc and Baines til the end of the season.

I'm not condoning what either have done but does this mean they are not potentially the best people suited for the job?

Be that we are talking about who we think is the best fit to lead and manage the team in the short term to maintain survival in the league and get us out of the shit we currently find ourselves in I think the morality police might need to look at this in a pragmatic way.

What would you prefer certain relegation based on current form which could spell the start of the end of the club or survival at all costs? I know what I'd choose...

That plan is so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a fox.

Rooney hasn't put enough clear water between his exuberant youth and his management career in my opinion. He was all over the tabloids 6 months ago because he ended up asleep on a chair in some dolly bird's flat while she stuck photos of him on her Instagram… not for the Everton manager thank you.

Christy - Yes I want a young up and comer. Not Lampard, he's proved nothing except he can't get a tune out of a world class squad. He didn't get long in the job but he needs to go back to square one before he lands a plum job in the Premier League.

Stan - they're not private though, that's the problem.

I'm not sure but I think Duncan has the more advanced coaching badges of the two?

So it's okay to have an ex-con as manager then? Won't he be impressionable on the youngsters? Some people on here really do have crossed morals.

I mentioned the fact in the build up to the Benitez appointment, that Matt Busby played for Liverpool and Manchester City and wondered, if the Manchester United fans of 1945 were as bitter as some of today's supporters, then it's quite possible that the history of their club would be somewhat different.

I posted that in relation to fans objecting to the Benitez appointment because of his Liverpool connection. I have no favourite for his replacement, and I have learned over the years that what a player or manager achieves at one club is not guaranteed to be repeated at another. Like any appointment it could be the best thing or the worst thing to happen.

I was prepared to give Benitez the benefit of the doubt but, on reflection, my faith in him was misplaced, and I'm afraid that – no matter who the Board choose – there will be an outcry from some quarters.

All I can promise is that whoever gets the nod will receive my support from the Park End.

Not many people in the world of football (or outside it) will have lived squeaky clean lives by today's standards.

They both made mistakes, paid the price at the time, grew up and got on with life.

Unless I'm missing something there's been nothing I'd class as unforgivable from them (and there's a couple of Premier League players under investigation on that score unfortunately)

You make it sound like Dunc ended a players career, Roy Keane tackle on the City player was far worse, Ferguson was made an example of and was never a jailing offence, seen far worse offences, with only a red card being punishment.

He has served his punishment, learned from it, has moved on from it, so I see no problem Dunc being in charge for Saturdays game and beyond.

You're falling into the trap of quite a few Evertonians, which has become tradition that I believe reflects our current mediocrity, of wanting rid of a very good player when they suffer a period of poorer (by their usual standards) form.

Unfortunately, Everton have over the years shown some tendency to follow that line, which has been a direct contribution to our current mediocrity.

For me, it began with the sale of the great Alan Ball in 1971, just because he had a relatively poor season in 70-71, and has continued since. That's a reason for Everton now being fucked up.

I just hope the “hard rain” has already fallen, and there is a pot of gold/a fuckn cup, waiting for us at that end of that rainbow, because I definitely don't want us to stand on that ocean before we start sinking simply because I don't think there are that many lifeboats left at our great club.

The difference with us to other clubs is the likes of Bally are not replaced with someone as good or better. Even Man City and Chelsea I'm sure have a Plan B and Plan C for when their manager or players show signs of getting stale. We don't do dynasties... never have, never will.

Kenwright Out.

Also, just reported that Cahill is being considered for a senior executive role at the club.

So can we breathe out now safely knowing Martinez doesn't want to finish what he started?

People talk of Duncan Ferguson as an Everton legend but he didn't score that many goals over a long period of time. Yes, he loves the club, does that make Osman, Hibbert and Unsworth legends?

I'm off on one I know, but to me Everton Legends are Joe Royle (also King status at Oldham), Nev and Rats, Ball and of course Howard.

Somebody posted that about Cahill yesterday. I hope that means a Board position and more.

I'd lose my shit if that serial loser was appointed.

The big difference between Duncan and Rooney re past misdemeanours is that Duncan was always principled and stood for what he thought was right.

Rooney doesn't have any principles... and as for Gattuso, that would totally complete the madhouse.

Spring a surprise result now and again – yes. To do it, week-in & week-out – that's a bit more than a surprise. Rooney started the season with 6 squad players and has had to cobble a team together with no room for finanical manoeuvre.

He's just lost Jagielka's services because the administrators couldn't find him the funds to keep Jags on the payroll. So I don't think his motivational skills can be called into question.

As Will Shakespeare once said, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them".

Speaking purely in footballing terms, I think Wayne was born great and has the "magic touch".

Can safely put Rondon in like a rolling stone department.

The internet is crazy, the stats that come out are brilliant, because it means that people can just write someone off, if they don't like, or don't want a certain individual, especially when they've got their own proof for justification!

I'm not saying I want Lampard, because I honestly think the club is rotten, and only a combination of Rooney and Ferguson, (oh, the irony) might be able to get rid of the poison which I believe exists at Everton right now, but when Chelsea had a transfer embargo, who did a great job with a number of talented kids, enabling them to get into last season's champions league?

The inexperienced Lampard, was doing very well until he had his first bad run in management, and if that wasn't the case then no way would Chelsea have had a good enough squad to win the Champions league, five months after he left, if he hadn't been getting certain things right?

Poison has existed for way to long at finch farm, and when Rooney was forced out of Everton all those years ago, by a man who needed him gone, to keep hold of his real life fantasy, I wonder how many times Wayne has said to himself, I'd love to get that horrible, lying, conniving, phoney bastard Kenwright back, one day?

I'm obsessed with the Chairman I know, but the minute he finally leaves Everton, I will never mention his name ever again.

And he would tell our executive team, in unvarnished language, exactly what he thinks about how this club is being run.

A decision as dysfunctional as it was symptomatic of the collapse of basic professionalism at the club. Interestingly, the posters who were adamant it was a great deal to sell Digne also tended to be the same voices who advocated backing Benitez to the bitter end.

The reason I say we will struggle with most of these players is that hardly any of them have any real affinity with the club and have any real knowledge of how we, the mainstay of the club, feel about the effects that going down, will bring, most of them will be off as soon as they can or when their contracts finish, while we face the prospect of a long period in the lower league or leagues, so start preparing for Saturday's game and getting something done about transfers.

More to the point, I believe that Everton's best hope for long-term improvement is bringing in new young talent, which in our current financial position requires the selling of established veterans. Digne's impending sale enabled the signings of Mykolenko, 22, and Patterson, 20. Obviously we won't know for quite a while how that turns out, but I think that's the kind of business we should be doing to rebuild this club's success.

This isn't Mike Bassett hour.

I sure hope that dramatic irony such as that does not apply to our next manager.

Both Patterson and Mykolenko may prove good buys over time. But Patterson won't make the first team this season (leaving us relying on the declining, error-strewn Coleman), while Mykolenko shouldn't be anywhere near the first team (as evidenced by his performances against Hull and Norwich). That leaves us with an out of form centre half in Godfrey as our only back up at left back.

It was that type of footballing genius that got Benitez deservedly sacked.

How Duncan Ferguson ended up in jail for that offence was an embarrassment to the whole judicial system, when you consider Cantona got community service for his proper Hong Kong phooey, karate kick.

If they'd jailed everyone who nutted someone on a Sunday morning in the Birkenhead Sunday league, we'd have played five-a-side most of the season.

I also thought Mykolenko played pretty well in his Prem debut outside of the one spectacular brain fart. But again that's just my opinion.

I've never seen Patterson play, so I can't say whether he will make the first team this season, but I'm pretty damned sure he wasn't purchased to sit on the bench. I wouldn't be the least surprised to see him start this weekend.

Benitez is purely irrelevant at this point, but I would appreciate your not misrepresenting my views. I was fine with sacking Benitez. Said so repeatedly. Expressed my relief when it happened. But yes, I did insist on asking those advocating his sacking who should replace him, and was deeply concerned when the most common reply (outside of Potter) was Ferguson. I grew even more concerned when Roberto briefly emerged as the top candidate. And I'll stay concerned until we name a real manager... and somebody emerges to conduct our transfer business.

But regardless of who was responsible for the Digne/Patterson/Mykolenko transactions (I've read here that Brands likely initiated the latter two), I continue to believe that selling an underperforming veteran to bring in two much-younger prospects -- and knocking a big chunk off our wage bill in the process -- was a good business move at a time when calculated gambles are necessary. And if those two kids do become regulars in a year or two, it will look like "footballing genius".

Nothing's ‘crossed', I explain my position if you care to read all my posts before wading in.

You're dead right but unfortunately that's the world we live in and you can't have the young lads coming into training all talking about the gaffer asleep around a stripper's house the night before.

It's not self righteousness or being judgemental (I've had my moments) but we're talking about the man we make the leader of one of the most historic and inspiring institutions in the world and standards and ambitions for our leader need to be higher than that.. what did those banners say?

But I think you make a good case for a permanent right away, given the need to complete signings in this window, signings which we'd then know to be consistent with the new manager's vision.

Unless, of course, we return to the DoF concept! God, what a shit show.

I see it's 2/3 roughly in favour of Rooney at the moment.

And unless Duncan Ferguson and Leighton Baines have previously-unknown connections for acquiring a capable central midfielder in the next 13 days, we're going to need a permanent manager pronto.

Otherwise it's BK and his Rolodex.

The other question about Rooney is whether he would actually leave Derby at this point. He spoke passionately last week about his commitment to keeping the club alive and its staffers employed. He's their pillar at this moment. Would he suddenly depart at the moment he is most needed there?

Maybe Moshiri will have to consider piling in some more of his own money to make this job appealing to anyone who has a CV without brown stains.

"February Half Term. Learn to play like their Everton heroes".

Cruel bastards. They're only kids - don't spoil their development.

I hope he wouldn't because a bit of integrity and grit is what I'm looking for in Rooney as an Everton manager of the future when the time is right.

I honestly believe that all that matters is his footballing nouse and man-management, including how he might inspire from a football perspective. The young players would be far more engaged with that than with tittle-tattle that doesn't really affect them.

Dunc confirmed as caretaker.

roll on Saturday. Hope he headbutts Slippy on the touchline!! I bet all the ballboys will be on the Main Stand side, and none on the Bullens!!!!!

I expect him to improve at Villa, and to improve Villa. But I do not expect him to ever again be the Digne we last saw before his ankle injury in November 2020, and I believe we sold him at the right time.

Alternatively…they still have other options.

They're still looking and talking to potential candidates. They don't want him again or he doesn't want it full time again?

He'd have been given it full time or the language would have said until the end of the season.

We sure are masters of indecisiveness. What will now be more embarrassing (if we can go there) is announcing a proverbial political U-turn in a week's time and declaring him either manager or caretaker until the end of the season. Both for Duncan and the club.

It must be that we're still talking and sounding options out.

Are you saying Ferguson went to Jail for head butting an opponent he had been tussling with, after said opponent turned around to confront him in the heat of battle ???

So who torched the orphanage ?

We've got some right Mary Ellen's on here.

Not saying its right, but that sort of thing would happen in the warm ups on pitches all over Glasgow back then.. The famous Glasgow kiss....In Liverpool they tended to favour a right hook to the rib cage...or a kick in the bollocks

Wouldnt mind Brightons DOF, Dan something or other and appoint Les Reed ex Southampton in place of Kenwright.

Job done.

Obviously I'm not inside informed, but it wouldn't surprise me if they're being chinned off with every ask.

That means:

- a 442 / 433 hybrid

- man for man marking

- substance over style, embracing those prepared to put a shift in and follow orders

- direct attacks, forcing the opposition to defend by playing over the top of a high press

We know this works because (apart from zonal) Benitez did it to good effect before deciding to muck about with weird formations and personnel.

No idea whether he would bring new players in. Possibly not.

As long as we stay above the bottom 3 this season, I probably don't really care.

A win and it's his, unless a serious candidate like Potter throws his hat into the ring , which is looking very unlikely.

Far removed from the bunch of weak-kneed tossers we have today.

After Digne was banished by Benitez, I felt the out-of-position Godfrey twice played better at LB (against Arsenal and Chelsea) than Digne had in any game this season. That was telling for me.

"Digne's impending sale enabled the signings of Mykolenko, 22, and Patterson, 20. Obviously we won't know for quite a while how that turns out, but I think that's the kind of business we should be doing to rebuild this club's success."

I'd say the way to do it, Mike, is to sell the better incumbent of a position if necessary, after the replacement is settled and up to speed. That might tend to help with the success.

You're determinedly sticking to your guns re. Digne, and that's fine, it's all about opinions. My opinion is, I'd urge anyone that hasn't seen it to watch a replay of the Villa vs United game to see if Digne looks irrevocably past it, as you seem committed to imply.

Anyway, we'll have some more material to go on, Saturday afternoon...

So then, on to Saturday ( if it happens ) and Ferguson prowling the touchline.
Three points is what is required and there won't be any player in the team Ferguson picks that has any doubts what is expected.
Good Luck Duncan
COYB.

So then, on to Saturday ( if it happens ) and Ferguson prowling the touchline.
Three points is what is required and there won't be any player in the team Ferguson picks that has any doubts what is expected.
Good Luck Duncan
COYB.

Don't believe every rumour or lazy media shit that's put out there mate, you'll go round the bend!

I can't wait to see Big Dunc tub-thumping on the touchline on sat, I hope we see him for a few games, I think we will end up picking Derby's pocket and spoiling Rooney's big managerial chance to shine. If Wayne came I would get right behind him, could get interesting. That's the best we can hope for right now, to be entertained objectively by the Everton circus.

As caretaker manager, what will Ferguson be doing that is different to what Benitez was doing when he was manager?

Just seen the training video put up by the club. Duncan seems to want really quick transitions with players working one touch on 2's and 3's then getting shots away. We won't know if this is different from the previous manager, but actual play over the last 4 months would indicate it is.

You can't always choose the exact perfect moment to sell a player, but at the moment we closed the deal on Digne, we had Godfrey and Mykolenko both healthy and ready to play. Thing is, we couldn't have bought Myko, or Patterson for that matter, if Digne's deal wasn't pending.

Brian #213, doesn't surprise me a bit. No question Digne is, and was, better at his job than Benitez. But when the player won't follow the manager's orders, somebody's gotta go, and it's usually the player.

It's good job the cameras weren't around as frequent to witness some of Van Den Hauwe's "challenges". Remember the blatant off-the-ball instant flooring of David Speedie around the mid 80s? I think it was their first season back up and we drew 2 - 2. They were wearing a horrible all green/lime kit and I remember being impressed by Pat Nevin.

And make no bones, from my spec in the Gwladys Street, Speedie didn't go down to convince the ref following the slightest of touches. He went down like a sniper victim because he genuinely took the full force of Pat's bullet of an elbow right on the spot. I don't even think there was a free kick given.

I don't condone violence, but I expect the technical area to be tasty on Saturday. At least we don't have the spectre of not being able to look at Benitez and Gerrard occupying both dugouts at Goodison.

While we're at it, Nev wasn't too critical of Benitez in his comments. He thinks we'd have picked up anyway in the second half of the season and he seems to point the finger more at the players.

Anyway, water under the bridge.

Now then, where's those defibrillators?

Before you look it up, it's where wires are put into your wrist or groin and fed into your heart to assess the damage of heart disease. As my family has a history of it, I wasn't very hopeful and to be fair, listening to the outcomes of the other dozen or so patients who went before me, I felt like my heart was in my boots...

"Just think of something nice," the nurse said, "There you go!'

"What did you think of?" she said... "Rafa Benitez getting the boot," I replied.

"Who is he and what boot?"

Laughter from the other end of the ward as a voice piped up:

"Agent Rafa, girl, did a great job for us!"

It would appear scousers get everywhere, even here in Waikato Hospital, New Zealand. Poor girl, we may as well have been talking a different language.

If any of you have ever had this procedure, you will understand it when I say it's like having a pipe cleaner shoved up your arm to prod around inside your heart while you're awake. Not the most pleasant things but, while lying there encased in lead, thinking of all things Everton came to mind...

I thought that the club analogy, it had heart disease, years of mistreatment, full of stuff that's hard to get rid of and in need of some major surgery.

After 2 hours, a verdict, yes lots of smaller fuzzy blockages but no major surgery required, "Don't know about that love" I said, "Just hope we can get a new manager in." "Noooo I meant your heart!" she said.

Seems I got off lightly, medication and a change of lifestyle... I wonder if that works for my heart too?

He played better than we've seen here for some time. So either he no longer gave a toss at Everton, or he was somewhat stultified under a manager or two. I know what I think. Whichever the answer, the Digne of old has gone nowhere. Well, Villa of course, but...

Bobby @ 217 - that was a great game to watch.

Oliver @ 220 - I don't think we need worry about the attracting potential signings element for now. Not that level of signing!

That's just too awful a thought to even contemplate, would be the equivalent of Ken Barlow walking out of Coronation Street. I really don't know what possessed you to have such evil thoughts.

Hope you're still okay for the occasional drop of Irish.

Glad it wasn't as bad as you feared, but if you are still fretting about Everton while you are undergoing such an unpleasant procedure, I suspect your head is the next thing you need examining. Unfortunately, the doctor who can help you with that one hasn't been born yet.

Look after yourself girl.

Christine (228), sorry you had more trouble with hospitals, but glad that it was nothing serious. Hope the change of lifestyle doesn't mean you've got to give up your little scotch tipples.

Very best wishes for the future.

The girl's trying to get match fit and all you can talk about is Scotch. Let her focus on the Irish for now.

One step at a time.

Something I have seen is Cahill going in as a technical director and Rooney as manager.

Romantic may be. But both are universally respected, Cahill is smart and knows what it takes to fight for a career in a lower league - and maximised what he had. Rooney the gifted player of his generation, who played fast, aggressive street football.

Both know what Everton is about. Cahill currently is a director of a modest size club in Belgium, Rooney cut his teeth in Derby. Everton despite its mess is a step up. It provides an opportunity to build something special in their own mode - but critically on their terms with no more meddling from Moshiri & Kenwright.

I also think they're strong enough to cull the hangers on behind the scenes that don't meet their standards. Everyone will be onboard.

I agree about Godfrey. But on a risk basis, you're assuming that Mykolenko will fare better than Digne would have done is stretching probabilities, since the new lad is pretty much an unknown quantity beyond a couple of games, which is too small a sample to go on. So, on probability grounds, you'd really have to go for Digne plus Godfrey rather than Mykolenko plus Godfrey, in terms of aiding quality in depth.

Left-back wasn't an issue before Benitez arrived. The issue was right-back, and the idiot played a right-back as a left-back with Digne on the bench. The whole thing is a fuckup of immense proportions.

As I said originally, I can't be arsed watching the Villa game, had enough of Everton's ludicrous decision-making. They're taking the piss.

He told them all about his days in the Boys Pen to yawns from the experienced players and looks of bemusement from the new players.

Apparently Mykolenko was heard to mutter in Ukrainian, 'What the fuck is this nitwit on about?' and Patterson was heard to mutter in Glaswegian, 'What the fuck is this nitwit on about?'

We might have more to discuss Saturday, in fact I know we will...

Ewe could look silly, if he joins us in the Summer! :-)

Christine, glad it wasn't as bad as you feared, take care!

Top post. The last couple of months have been soul-destroying watching that fat RS twat try and destroy this club; thankfully we finally get rid.

Now Moshiri is on one again and we await to see who he picks out of his velvet bag of managers. Any chance he could find a holding midfielder in that bag, because if we play Villa without one, we are gonna be in trouble...

Yep, it's extremely tiring watching this play unfold.

Relegation was never a danger.

Actually a funny aside about that: whilst living in Brisbane some years ago, a friend asked if I would go with her to a spiritualist church as there was a medium from the UK she wanted to see. Reluctantly I agreed and sat at the back of the congregation.

He was pretty dire though but, as he was coming to an end, he said, "You at the back..(pointing his finger at me) I've had this little woman pestering me all night, and she wants me to ask you why you only put lemonade in with her when she died?"

Unfortunately when saying bye to mon, I had put a small bottle of lemonade in with her but forgot to put a small bottle of scotch to accompany it. It somehow remained in my bag. Seems mum just wanted to remind me she never got her last drink!

Actually, I'm not convinced we'll even see the rally this time around. The players keep thinking they can turn it on and off depending on when they want the manager to go. It's a dangerous stunt and I'm not at all sure they're good enough to make it work this time.

For a second there, I was trying to figure out what university respected them.

Although not very much in favour of jobs for past players I do think that Ferguson, Rooney and Cahill have something special which would benefit our club. I just hope a few results go Duncan's way and then we can get the three of them in to sort things out.

COYB

I hope you're going to be fine Christine, because there's just no getting away from those smug-bastards, wherever you are.

Medication and a change of lifestyle? If only it was that easy, giving Everton up!

Not only that, he is quality, loves the club and his head and heart are in the right place. Pair him with Ferguson and it's not bad. Don't think he would want to be an assistant manager but a DoF.. yep, that could work.

Nice story about your mum and the missing the missing whiskey, you silly girl!!

A mate of mine and his friend when to see his dad in The Royal Hospital, his dad was in there drying out, too much beer and scotch over a long period, his dad was in a ward on his own and was going up the wall seeing spiders, snakes and even a polar bear, he said. They had only been there a few minutes when the lad gave his dad a carrier bag with a big bottle in it and winked at his dad and said enjoy that.

A couple of minutes later, or less, and his dad said “ I don't half feel tired son, thanks for coming but I'm going to have a kip,see you tomorrow” they said their goodbyes and the two lads went out into the corridor but were looking through the little oval window in the door, his dad jumped out of the bed and couldn't get at the carrier bag quick enough, put his hand in the bag and pulled a large bottle of tomato sauce, the screams and effing and blinding could be heard all over the hospital as the two lads done one out of the wards holding their stomachs with laughter.

No honestly, I would like to thank him for his time. He tried and failed as a manager but he did better recruiting players in 6 months than Brands did in 3.5 years.
Gray and Townsend both excellent signings. Begovic and Rondon on paper sensible ‘back-up only' players on frees.
I think Patterson will develop into a very good player, quick, strong, athletic and can cross a ball.
Mykolenko has been thrown in at the deep end and struggled. I'm hoping he comes good but imo Nkounkou is a better player, certainly as an attacking fullback.

I'll also thank Carlo, in Allan, Doucoure and James, he added experience, athleticism and brilliance to a poor midfield.
We all hoped for a little better, but as has been proven many times, it's not easy.

Brands may well have brought in Godfrey, Branthwaite and Nkounkou who may all prove to be good players, but after 3.5 years Brands failed the club.

I think Rafa could make a very good head of recruitment and finally on Rafa, I can't think of anyone else who could unite a club as quickly as he will in his departure.

Thanks Rafa, but I'm ready for the Dunc show now!

In fact I think Richy is our best striker by a a country mile. That is why my front three would be:

Gray, Richarlison, Gordon - in a 433

Sorry for your troubles, hope ye will be grand.
Love your humour for a procedure that was no fun !

A wee whiskey and have a listen to "sing all our cares away" - Damien Dempsey.
All the best.

Not necessary on the health side, but I sympathise with your having to support Everton from afar having been there myself for many years. And whether you are thousands of miles of way or just here in London, "they" get everywhere. They are like uneducated locusts that swarm all over places with their ill-informed 6 year old playground views on football. Same city, worlds apart.

Lampard done that in tribute to his father and I don't have issue with it. Why should we? It's a bit like Norman Whiteside scoring against us in the 1985 Cup Final and celebrating. A few years later, he was "Big Norm" at Goodison, adored by many. It's football.

Don't tease me with Favre, but if it's coming from the Athletic and O'Keefe, there could be credibility Soren. Maybe a summer move though depending how things go. And if he brings Terzic with him that would be a great move by the club. I'm getting ahead of myself.

For now, let's get behind Duncan and Leighton. That's what we've got for the next few games and I would imagine until the end of the season.

Unless Everton surprise me. But then Everton always surprise me. It's just that we never know which way.

Regard your post #260, I'd rather have Timmy on the Board, helping to choose our next DOF and manager rather than being one. Aside from his business chops, I think what the next Board meeting needs most is a few of his corner-flag punchouts. Our idiot directors would learn a whole new meaning of the term "hostile takeover."

https://youtu.be/rPw_UBVdehA

He will have them up for it. One worry I didn't see Allan.
Apart from that he certainly had an air of authority about him. I reckon he is up for it also. Much happier after seeing this.

P.S. Richy can head a ball!

The article on The Athletic is more about the turmoil at Everton. The mention of Favre only comes in the last few paragraphs:

Derby County manager, former Everton striker and lifelong fan of the club Wayne Rooney, former Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre, and current first-team assistant manager Duncan Ferguson are also on an initial list of candidates.

Quite how easy it will be to persuade anyone to play Everton's game of thrones next remains to be seen.

It can, and usually does, end badly.

Just can not believe the dreadful names being linked with job. ie Martinez is almost as bad as FSW in the first place. Does this mean Moshiri has forgiven Koeman, who is out of work? Mourinho is the same as CA and BFW, a busted flush! In fact the only ex-EFC manager, [who has not had megabucks to play with. yes you Cancelotti] is marco Silva who seems to have re-invented himself at Fulham!

HOW ABOUT APPOINTING A MANAGER WITH PASSION AND DRIVE FOR EVERTON!

I know where you are coming from. But it is early in the season, not the normal run into the end of season when the ploy is normally operational. The other fact is that players have returned from injury, the new signings are available and the younger players have had playing time. The supporters will be behind them. #27 years was mentioning a sit in a Birmingham, but there is no mention about it now.

Best Wishes Christine.

That's the $20 million question that nobody can answer. With Benitez and Brands gone there seems to be only one guy left in the office who can pick up the phone and buy a player. And most folks here don't want him anywhere near our transfer business.

Proper Evertonian's being called to arms to rescue the club from from the destruction wreaked upon it by the money grabbing gobshites who have infested this club for years

This is how we do it.

This is how we do it baby

Dunc et al know the score, the supporters and most of all the players. They know which ones are up for the fight and every match is a fight. No fancy stuff – just get it done.

The Players --- they are all professionals earning big money. They know what's got to be done -- manager or no manager. If they're worth their salt I expect each and everyone to pull their guts out in every match for our loyal supporters. We deserve it. We deserve to be up there amongst the best.

A lot has been said on these pages about Managers and we all know it has been diabolical for years. Anyone who has worked as a middle manager knows that you can only perform if you've got a good structure above you.

Sadly Everton at that level are a shambles as has been described by numerous posts over the years. The middle person then has to work with the staff. Some will work for the cause others will just plod.

Dunc et Al's first job is to dump the plodders and get those ready to fight the cause. He will have the backing of every Everton supporter on the planet. COYB

Wayne was the complete footballer and Everton to the core, if that is a critical success factor for the club, as it seems. Ferguson? Not for me in anything other than a temporary way. Perhaps to the end o the season?

Ferguson, had done very well, he looked like he had the players working for the team, but they were on their knees against Arsenal, and it would have been interesting to see how things went, once we had got over that new manager bounce.

I honestly think Ferguson might make the better manager, because he was always a bit aloof (not sure it's the right word) and never seemed to have many friends when he played.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has supposedly got a full-size pitch in his garden, and with the rumours that he invites people in to his garden to play football, he seems more like one of the lads, and would probably be brilliant on the training pitch.

Unless the plan is for Usmanov to really come out of the shadows, the spending and ‘established name' managers just hasn't worked and won't work. We ain't going to be outspending Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd or Newcastle at any stage soon. Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham are 3 others ahead of us on stadium journeys too.

The model for me therefore needs to be focused on growing and attracting the best youth in the world, and being prepared to sell it high. Be a platform like the Dortmund, Red Bull, and Ajax models. This is the only way I can see us having any chance of breaking into that top echelon and the Holy Grail of regular Champions League.

This should be the number one consideration on who we hire next – we have a unique opportunity to put both a manager and DoF in place to work on this plan. We mustn't get this one wrong, and we won't get many more chances to get back where we want.

My initial gut reaction was ‘panic stations' – ie, ‘get a new manager in immediately, we need to get out the shit'! However, I think this was wrong, especially after seeing yesterday's video of Duncan taking training. It looked different, fast paced, hard even! The big man shouting encouragement like an absolute boss.

I think Step One is for Moshiri and Bill to get off the fence and tell everyone that, unless something very radical changes, he'll be in charge until the end of the season. Keep a door open of course, but make it clear this is Plan A to all. Let him bring in another loan if we can, ideally a young dynamic 8 or 10 to show he's being backed.

Take our time making sure the pair we appoint next will give us that long-term model based on youth opportunity, and if it means the pair become a 3 (or more) with changes at U23 and U18 too, then so be it. This is a real “strategic review” that's needed.

Obviously, this may change if the big man can't galvanise us over the next 4-5 games, but for now just take it slow and see. I recon the summer will bring new opportunities (still think Rangnick will get binned when the Mancs bring in Pochettino, and Arteta might get binned if Arsenal finish with no trophy and outside the Top 4).

Anyway, this is already about 4 paragraphs longer than I meant to type, so I'll stop. Maybe, just maybe, there is opportunity in this crisis.

With all the conversations focused on the new manager we should not lose sight of the need to buy a central midfielder before the window closes.

There are many who want us to play with 3 in the midfield sector, I am assuming that Allan and Doucouré would make up 2 of the 3 but who would be the other player, Gomes, or the two who are always injured or is there a desire to give one of the kids a go?

When the game began, the roles were completely reversed with Liverpool working and pressing like dervishes with the ball being switched all sides of the field, they were soon 2-0 ahead and Everton looked bewitched, bothered and bewildered: We eventually got back into the game and Liverpool looked worried for about 10 minutes each side of the first and second half but we couldn't keep it up and folded when Coleman made his cock-up.

The fact is over the last few seasons we have rarely, if ever, played for the full 90 minutes, a poor first half followed by a good pressing second half, or the other way about. Ferguson or whoever comes in is not going to change that in a hurry, it's a long, long job.

On Saturday all that matters is by hook or by crook we get the three points and we all back the players on the pitch, every single one of them, throughout the game. Best wishes and good luck to Ferguson and his assistants.

Fulham had won 6-2 and after 6-1 and 7-0 wins became the First team in 80 years to score "6" or more in three consecutive games. Chester last did it in the 1930s.

Wrong!
Season 1953-54 EVERTON DIVISION 2

Feb 13... Derby (A) Won 6-2
Feb 24... Brentford (H) Won 6-1
Feb 27... Plymouth (H) Won 8-4

In these dismal times it is nice to read something good about Everton, even if it was many years ago. I have just written in to BBC Football to congratulate Fulham but to make sure that we are not forgotten in correcting History.

I knew this fact because I was at all three games. We also won the Division 2 title that year.

I hope we can do the same again starting with Villa on Saturday COYB...

I'm surprised Lee Carsley has not been mentioned, with the fans of the Everton Family. He has been going about his business quietly.

Technically, the Beeb are correct because Everton suffered a defeat during those 3 league games you mention, namely the FA Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 at Hillsborough, Dave Hickson scored a consolation goal for the Blues.

Nevertheless, good recall on your part and it might be quite sometime before we see Everton score six in a single game, but hopefully not too long.

He's watched players like Schneiderlin, Delph, Holgate, Iwobi (I could go on) stealing a living by strolling around the pitch and at no time has he thought, "Fuck this, I'll go and ply my trade elsewhere and be my own Boss, this is just criminal."

Instead, he has just been willing to take his corn like the players. It worries me that he's all arse and no trousers. I guess we'll soon find out. I hope he proves me wrong, I really do. We need some good fortune.

It was kind of like an ‘RAF Red Arrows' thing, and I thought at the time “Wow, that's interesting, looks like an ‘American football' move from the movies.” Most of all, I was impressed that I hadn't seen anything like that before. It was ‘different'.

So, whilst I think it's a little strange for you to compare a training session with a warm-up at the derby we were always getting smashed in, I do get your point that it's not all about lung-busting training, and we need to think about things differently…

However, my point wasn't just about him making them work hard; my point was that the session appeared different to the repetitive sessions I've seen for a long time. I saw him practicing overlap attacks for example, with a few players struggling to actually do it.

Time will tell, of course, and I'm not expecting miracles… but it looked enough for me to feel like he has ideas and is trying to mix it up.

I've no doubt that Ferguson can get the crowd invested, and that in itself will be hugely useful, but the proof will be in the pudding. I would expect the 'new manager bounce' to be in full effect with Ferguson and hopefully it can garner us some much needed points.

But will he have the tactical acumen to pick the right players, systems, formations? To make the right changes and adjustments in-game? I'm excited to find out.

I think we have to see how he does as interim and how the players respond to his ideas before we talk about him having the job, even till the end of the season.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Everton never scored those twenty goals in three consecutive matches, three consecutive league matches yes but after they beat Derby County they lost 3-1 to Sheffield Wed in the FA Cup.

When I saw the dates you gave for those three games I realised the gap between the Derby games and the Brentford one and knew we had been knocked out of the cup that year by Sheffield Wed but didn't remember which round it was in. I checked up and we played them on 20 February 1954, sorry for being a smartarse, John!!

So if you want a Derby manager that got them to the play-offs when they had no money, then Nigel Clough – I can remember their fans chanting “It's just like watching Brazil” due to the style of football. He then did an incredible job at Burton with no money and is now pulling up trees at Mansfield – not that I am suggeting him as our next manager... just trying to put things in perspective. Also, Potter will not be able to replicate what he is doing here, it's far too big a job.

We need someone in with at least 6 games left so they can see the dross they have inherited first hand and then see who has to go and who they can get a tune out of. I do know one man that can rebuild and leave a legacy and who I am pretty certain will be available at the end of the season: Bielsa.

But let's face it, Everton fans are getting too toxic and Moshiri too trigger happy that we won't give anyone long enough to build anything. If we still had Allardyce here, we would probably be playing Europa League football and with a much-improved playing style than we have seen from Benitez.

In the dressing room, the Sheffield captain, a fellow Irishman, said to Peter Farrell,

“What fantastic supporters you have, what are they like when you win?”

That conversation was reported by Peter Farrell in his weekly column in The Echo, when it was a paper worth reading, the week after that game.

He may not be a great tactician but I am sure he can get someone in to help with that. When I think of all the great managers most, not all, had the fear factor and none more so than the most successful Premier League manager Alex Ferguson, Shankly and Clough were also managers who the players knew they couldn't mess with.

Now in Duncan's favour he will have that fear factor from the players which is no bad thing. I can never ever remember us having a charismatic manager, someone who displayed their passion as Ferguson did when he had his brief spell in charge.

So maybe we need this dysfunctional board just for once leave the man in charge and don't undermine him by looking who to replace him. Come out and give him till the end of the season.

Let's face it, this board were quite prepared to give the useless Spaniard money to spend till it became obvious even to them they couldn't carry on in charge.

I'm not sure about the football or playing squad improvements (although he did get West Brom looking quite lively at times last season).

What I do know is that the astonishing progress made by Wolves, Brighton, Leipzig, Hoffenheim etc has not been by accident. It has been carefully plotted out at club level and has not necessarily needed an excellent coach / manager to implement.

We could plug Nuno Santos, Lage, Potter, Hoeness etc into our current set-up and the result might be no better than Benitez, possibly worse.

Just the one request from me.

Can you please tell any player entering the field of play, whether it be training or a proper game of football, whilst chewing gum – to fuck right off.

Actually, it's two requests.

Please tell Keane to fuck right off.

The midfielder question. This was arguably priority no1 for the January window.

It's a massive worry that the eye has been taken off the ball. First with the Benitez left back circus, now with a managerial void.

The main men now need to come up with a solution, they should involve Duncan, Sharpy, Cahill in the process.

Also they need to consider an experienced back (on loan) up to Yerry Mina. Can we gamble on his fitness in our precarious situation?

On selling Digne, it's about the timing. I think we can all agree that Everton has been bad at getting value from player contracts.

We need to begin selling players when they are still at peak or near peak value but may only remain at peak performance for a short time. Whether Digne is still at his peak or not, he is nearly 30 and we got £25m for him.

It might seem mad that we are selling our best players but if we have to work to the model for long term success, regardless of where that leaves the playing side in the short term.

I summarise Rafa's tenure as; strategy good, tactics bad.

I had to laugh remembering Jimmy Bullard when we were playing Wigan and Dunc kicked off with one of their players and Bullard was cringing watching it. It is probably on youtube.

"We also won the Division 2 title that year."

You really shouldn't be misleading the youngsters with this stuff.

The Jimmy Bullard clip is hilarious, if only for the sheer look of terror on Bullard's face when Big Dunc comes near him. This is why Dunc is the best choice for us – he is a true leader of men who people respect and don't dare mess around with.

The only public insight we have into Moshiri's and the board's thinking are the parting words of Marcel Brands:

'There is a clear difference in vision and direction [between myself and the board]'.

How so? It was only April last year that Moshiri and the board were happy to give him a contract extention.

What changed everything? Rafa Benitez.

In a matter of weeks, he saw off the head of recuirtment, the lead scout, the medical chief and the DoF. One man at the club had absolute power over all football matters.

He was backed in the Lucas Digne stand-off and backed again in the January transfer window. But following defeat at Norwich - POP! He's gone. All his training staff have gone with him.

The entire first team management and support structure, totally shelled out. It's not just a new manager we need.

This amounts to an act of self-sabotage by Moshiri.

Just what the frig is his 'vision and direction' on the football side at Everton?

Martinez deemed not worthy and binned by him.

Koeman appointed and if he had performed as he had done in his previous gig at Southampton - both in the transfer market and how he had them playing - it would have been an astute appointment. Mixed bag in transfers. Binned after a poor start in his 2nd season (but nowhere near as bad as Benitez's one win in 13).

Dreadful procrastination which left caretaker David Unsworth badly exposed before appointing a manager Moshiri had earlier ruled out in the recruitment process, Sam Allardyce. Did what he was asked to do, but the mutual contempt 'twixt manager and fans led to his inevitable dismissal.

Back to Marco Silva who he had previously tried to recruit, rubber-stamped by the new DoF Brands. Teased us with what might have been, but never was. He too binned after a poor start to his 2nd season.

Then, the stellar appointment. Carlo Ancelotti. Quickly sorted out the defence and zonal marking (it DOES work if drilled and applied correctly). Wins away at the big boys. An all-time record away wins in a league season, but perversely unable to replicate it at home.

He walked and against considerable advice, Moshiri gambled on Benitez.

Like the names being bandied around, each one of those managers have very different characteristics on who they recruit, how they prepare, how they play, how they respond live in games.

Of the current candidates, although I fancy he has evolved, Martinez has explicitly said he pays little attention to detail of defending, particular dead ball plays.

Rooney, doing a sterling job in exceedingly difficult circumstances (I am astonished how ill-informed some posters have shown themselves to be, not knowing anything of the shitfest he is dealing with), but still a novice in football management.

Lampard, did good work at both Derby and Chelsea, both with and without money. Gives youth a chance.

Mourinho, arguably a manager whose power is on the wane, expects a healthy transfer budget and like Benitez, thrives on creating friction and conflict inside his own club.

Potter, doing well in a well-structured but small-time club.

Nuno Espirito Santo. Another manager who did well in a well-structured, middling club. Found wanting when stepping up to Spurs and quickly dismissed. Already considered and overlooked for the Everton job (not that that rules him out now, such is the muddled thinking at Everton).

Lucien Favre. Good rep, but out of work for a year and now 64.

I'm sure there are more I could throw into the mix, but there is barely a common link between them (or Moshiri's previous managerial appointments) football philosophy wise, is there? No sense of continuity.

So again I ask, where/what is the 'vision and direction' Brands spoke of?

Because I ain't seeing it.

It's all reactionary, management by crisis, rather than having, following and sticking to a well-mapped out plan.

The weird thing is we haven't got a bad squad when everyone's fit so the next 3/4 games we should do ok.

But people have got to separate Dunc the player from Dunc the manager, there's this expectation it'll be 442 with Gray & Townsend throwing crosses over for Dunc Mark II. Remember he's one of the most qualified coaches out there, and Anchelotti wanted to take him to Madrid, so he might surprise everyone.

People who know him say he's a deep thinker about the game. My only hope that we start on the front foot rather than inviting teams to come onto us and counter them. Didn't work, easy to play against.

I'm expecting a bit more Braveheart on Saturday.

No longer can we have a scattergun approach to investing, handing this manager and that the keys to the accounts. We need a global performance model with every player in it and we need to pick those players that best suit our style of play and start earning some returns on them (trophies or sales).

I can only hope Everton take a more statistically-based approach to transfer policy because I think it is the only way forward for the club to compete sensibly and prudently with the chosen few.

I was up in the middle of a cold Canadian night to put forward my "hazy" memories (#320). I don't know why I made us Division 2 winners. Leicester won that year. My apologies to all, especially Leicester fans.

I was at Goodison Park on the night of the final game of the season and we were beating Oldham 4-0 at half-time. We needed two more to actually win the league. But it just didn't happen and Leicester were the Division 2 Champions.

But we did win three league games in a row by 6-1, 6-2 and 8-4. I wasn't counting on the cup game in between. I guess it is all ''Trivia''whereas Today's happenings are just plain trivial – until our next manager leads us to further glories. I am now back in dreamland.

ps: I am never on a roll other than my one roll out of bed in the morning. I then go to the computer to see if Everton have actually signed any of the nineteen midfielders suggested by the pundits.

Stop now, have a cup of tea and a couple of rounds of toast then think where you were when Everton beat Oldham 4-0.

If you were at Goodison Park, you wouldn't have seen a thing, the match was at Boundary Park, Oldham's ground. You are not concentrating, we have all done it!!

As other people have said: picking a left-back to play left-back, is hardly rocket science.

No pun intended... [actually, on reflection, it was!]

I think it was the second time the medical chief had left the club. I'm not sure he was fired each time. The head of recruitment was a young man, mostly inexperienced. The chief scout hadn't been there very long, I think he was recruited, maybe by the young inexperienced head of recruitment, from Fleetwood Town?

Who knows truly who got rid of Mr Brands? But he was soon replaced by Graeme Sharp who lives in the pockets of Kenwright.

Dave Prentice is coming in from the Liverpool Echo to be Everton's new liaison officer, a job previously held by Graeme Sharp, and Prentice has had plenty of contact with Billy Boy and always defended him.

I don't know who has complete power but Kenwright has plenty and who would you bet on appointing Ferguson, Baines and Ebbrell as the people who will take charge of the team on Saturday – and who brought them back to the club initially?

No, not Duncan... Alex.

Cracked me up that did 😂

Rooney can finish his project at Derby, the only other on Everton's radar, Lampard, would also wait until the summer.

It could also open up for other managers in the summer.

For now, though, I would take all talk of managers out of the limelight, give Dunc time to get results and build team spirit and commitment back up.

If we can get a few results early doors, it gives Dunc and Baines a free hit until the end of the season.

If all goes well, I see no point bringing anyone else in.

But for now, the board need to back Dunc and take all talk of another manager away, and let him get on with the job.

It doesn't seem like the Board ever think outside the square.

Shame the board cannot see what the fans can see.

Feeling +ve...

We are Everton

If you had crafted these properly, we would be able to read the short list and identify what the candidates have in common and what, therefore, is important to the club.

Because I can't understand how we have come up with a such a diverse short list - Rooney, Lampard, Mourinho and Martinez. There is literally no logic to it that I can see.

With regards to the statistical transfer policy, I agree with the more scientific, clinical approach…

As long as the statistics are not 25 goals and top scorer in the Russian PL. With a Player of the Year gong to boot.

The point I'm trying to make is the statistics have to be used intelligently and weighted correctly as the bare stats will only tell part of the story.

Watched it too. Was like an impersonator.

Moshiri has no football plan bar the appointment and sacking of the Managers and restricting money for wages and transfers. We have never been party to the reason for any appointments. We are told that there where extensive discussion with the Managers in what was wanted and achievable. With Benitez over weeks. We do not know what was the objectives and know that Benitez did what was agreed and received backing, even a text of support acknowledging a injury crisis.

It was reported that Moshiri wanted Countiho, but Benitez did not. But it looks like there was a total change in Moshiris opinion of Benitez, again with no reason announced. There was no plan on the selection replacement for Benitez. Was there a difference of opinion on transfers or was it totally based on results. We will never know.

What is the selection process and criteria for the Manager and the Supporting apointments. ?There certainly isn't a plan.

The way Benitez set up the team against Norwich, he certainly had not been warned that his job dependent on the result.

The only way we will find out if Duncan is the answer is to give him the job till the end of the season. He didnt get much of a stab at the job last time, and just maybe he is the long term answer. But unless this useless owner comes out and says he is here till the end of the season, then some of these players will think I am not arsed what Ferguson wants he will be replaced in a couple of weeks, then what chance does Ferguson have.

But seems like the accountant is still chasing the likes of Mourhino, whose better days are well behind him. Seems Moshiri just never learns from his mistakes and while he is here I doubt he ever will. I just hope we get off to a winning start on Sat although looking at the training pictures it looks like we will have to do it without Allan, and seeing how poor Doucoure and Gomes look without him it just makes Duncans job that little bit harder.

The other issue for me is that fan protests before or during the game against the manager or the chairman or the board provide a convenient shield for some players to hide behind.

Bringing and keeping the supporters onside ought to be one of the key objectives of the new manager. For our part fans ought to be realistic. Whoever he is, the new manager should be given a fair chance. If the first poor run of form brings a fresh round of protests the club's downward spiral will very likely continue.

I have no idea who the two teams were. Could have been Crawfords Crackers v Schweppes but I was there with my football Buddy Alan Clare. I was in the Gladwys Street end. There were thousands at the game and they kept announcing the score every time Everton scored. It was 4-0 by half time and there were huge cheers and celebrations at every goal. I felt sorry for the poor lads who were playing because the cheers had nothing to do with their game.

Other than actually being at Boundary Park it was as enjoyable as any game I watched that season. I do forget some things today, even people's names but I don't forget too much about watching Everton., As bad as things may be now, they are still the first thing that comes to my mind when I wake up in the morning. I turned 15 in 1954 but I know it was one of the best Days ever when we beat Oldham.

I always read your posts and know what a great Evertonian you are. I am delighted that Farty Beneath Us has left and I STILL have hopes that Ferguson et Al can still turn us around. Nothing will ever stop me following "The Blues". I will continue to support even if they end up in the National League. You have to be slightly irrational, even insane to support Everton but I would only change things if it was for the better.
C.O.Y. B and the best of luck to Dave and all Evertonians for the rest of this season.

FFP has us backed into a corner, so why the hell Mosh and bill are rushing to throw more dosh at a name manager I just cant see...

I for one have questioned Bill Kenwrights ongoing control of the club, and the jobs for old blue boys, but thats what we are left with, oh and paying off Rafa...

Someone suggested a rolling 6 month contract for Dunc, good call if he wants it, but lets not leave everything to him. we need a new back room staff.
Put some hard running into the training program (like Moyes did) Get the basics back in place, sack the zonal marking, get solid if a bit predictable at the back.
Never underestimate how much of the game is dictated in the middle of the park and when these good habits are set in stone and we have reconsolidated as a mid table team we can build better.

Lots of good ideas being thrown into the hat, Cahill and Carsley could both offer something, but a new chairmen and shackles for the owner would top the lot!
The flare players will have their moments to be creative

Although, being the Devil's Advocate he did a good job in acquiring Gray and Townsend. Not sure what his involvement was in the two recent FB's and whether they have been an astute move.

Next!

Nick @334; you are effectively describing the DoF model in saying don't give the keys to the bank to successive managers.

I don't understand this "I would have walked" or "I'll give up on them" sentiment. Alien to me. A language I can't comprehend and don't understand. Never going to happen. Ever.

I haven't often seen a lack of effort in the players this season so I don't know where this "Duncan's going to fire a rocket up their arse" thing is coming from. I've seen a gutted Demarai Gray blowing out his arse on his knees. Jonjoe Kenny walking to the crowd having given everything. Richarlison being his frustrated stroppy self, but giving everything. Confusion and frustration with tactics and how they've been asked to play? Yes. Lack of effort from the players? Not in my opinion.

@Nick Page. There are many loyal fans outside the local fanbase. Just as I don't like Everton appearing as an insular club, I wouldn't want to isolate fans by making it insular to Liverpool or Merseyside.

Martin Mason; it's part of the game, but I agree with you. I never boo during or after. But in defence of the fans, in all the home and away fixtures I've attended this season, the support has mostly supported the team throughout the match. They've let them have it at the end of a bad result and performance, but it's generally been directed at the dugout and boardroom. The players unfortunately get caught in the crossfire. But I've not seen them shying away from going over. Unlike the manager although there are obvious other historical reasons for that.

Steve Brown. Criteria? I think the only criteria is who will take it. More scattergun than our transfer policy of recent years. Even now, they haven't announced Duncan for the rest of the season, just for "upcoming games". So they're still searching for the next fall guy because unless they totally surprise me, no-one credible will take it at this point in time.

Now they are looking at first give me strength Roberto, Jose, and a former player who has not even had a full season at a club with absolutely no pressure with a 21 point deduction, taking the deduction away, would still only be 11th in the Championship.

Take all those equations away, anyone with an ounce of thinking, within our board, hang on all those plan a have not worked, how about a plan b.

Why can they not think hang on, Dunc has been alongside these Managers, he spent a season alongside Carlo, he knows the players inside out, why do we not give him until the end of the season, let's just see if he can turn the club around.

Instead they are wetting themselves and running around like headless chickens, Jose, Roberto, Rooney, what is the rush, press the reset button, sit back and see what Dunc can do, everything else has failed, ffs just go with Dunc and plan b, not for a week or so, announce it now, got to the rest of the season, then review how he has done, if it's working, give it him for another season, if still working then a longer contract.

Why can the fans see it, but those in power cannot.

By keeping it more simple and a more coherent formation and plan. One that the players can immediately and instinctively understand, I am expecting Duncan to get a much better performance on Saturday out of the team, with a similar amount of effort.

I think if he can do that, and I believe will, he'll be given the job until June (at least ). Then the manager position be reviewed. Duncan has a great opportunity to make his mark and stake his claim over the next five months for the job in the longer term. Good luck to him.

I would expect a good coach like Duncan to be encouraging every player in training, even Rondon and Delph. I don't think that is an omen for who he plans to select on Saturday.

Sorry for having wasted your time. I'm sure you are right and the players are in tears in the changing room if they have been booed on the field. Clearly, that was what was wrong all along.

No wonder Benitez is feeling let down by the club. Obviously the inept tactics he employed, that led to him getting the sack, were entirely due to the players being booed.

We have seen a great deal of the former but not too much of the latter in the last few years. Remember what our former manager said about how much running the team did after the Goodison derby? A perfect example of 'effort' but of the wrong sort. Iwobi, god bless his cotton socks is a prime example of a player who expends lots of energy but his 'effort' is 90% of the time wasted.

I don't think the board planned to sack Rafa and didn't think we'd lose to Norwich – like the rest of us. But they had to act.

As far as replacements, we know they interviewed a significant number of people during the summer. Some have found work and others are new to the market. I'll back whoever comes in but really hope they appoint someone reasonable and not another punt.

I just can't wait!

One can only hope…

So, while we are playing Football Manager, who's going to be in charge of transfers? Or have we done our business this month?

12 days left in the window.

A lot of fans are assuming he will bring fire and brimstone and that the crowd, the passion, and the occasion will see us sweep Aston Villa aside. I'm not so sure.

Aston Villa have been better than us recently and, if they score early, they could well grow in confidence while the brittle confidence of our players may become a little frayed.

I think we will find out a little more about him this time around. It may be my imagination, but the stakes seem a lot higher.

Reading between the lines. I think the majority on here feel he will be a crash-bang-wallop fist-pumper. I don't. I fully expect to see a man with a lot more tactical guile than he is credited with. I expect more of that than his predecessors have exhibited. Just because he shows passion in abundance, it doesn't mean he will be short on the more subtle aspects of the game.

This has been an itch that I/we needed to scratch; if there is a manager in there, we need to find out. We need to know, one way or the other, if his last stint was a flash in the pan. If he is proven to be no better than Carlo or Rafa were, at least we will know and we can stop asking "what if" and forget about him.

The one thing I won't be listening to is the truly bizarre criticism that the players were "out on their feet" at the end of the Arsenal game. I want to see our players work as hard as Man City's and Liverpool's. I want our players to finish games "out on their feet".

Footballers generally get three or so days to recover. Not every athlete gets that. I'll be 100% behind the whole team on Saturday and I want to go home in the knowledge that every one of them left the pitch absolutely spent.

“I think Marcel Brands was horrendous. I honestly believe he did a disservice to Everton, I don't think he was any good. Some of the players that he brought in, if you slammed a door they fell over, they were that weak.”

Oops! Neville, behaving like one of those bad fans we are alleged to have within the confines of Goodison Park.

Hopefully he still has Sharpy's phone number and can relay the same directly to him.

As many know, I watch Villa by virtue of my wife. They gradually got over their Grealish hangover and were already playing well before they added Coutinho and Digne to the ranks. A re-motivated Digne in a good team with Watkins to aim for worries me.

If we tried to expend the work rate of City or Liverpool, we'd be done in 20 minutes. That took years of assembling the right players and conditioning them. I get your sentiment; leave it out on the pitch and don't bring anything back. But Duncan is no magician.

Sorry, couldn't resist!!

Duncan has the platform for now, so over to him. Come on Duncan, come on Everton.

Ferguson probably does deserve more credit as a coach, rather than just a motivator because he does seem well regarded.

Hard to say quite how much credit though as he's not done anything particularly visible.

Given his previous, he seems likely to simplify things for the players like he did last time and get them working. That's not to do him down, because that's tactically right for the moment I expect. Infuriating too because that was at the heart of Benitez ' good early season form before he started using different weird formations and personnel.

Whether Ferguson can develop a more sustainable style as the season progresses we shall see. I hope he can.

Whatever the case, I can't see him being treated by Moshiri as anything more than a stop gap.

We're not looking for anyone to be embarrassed, we simply want an honest take on the situation and a believable commitment for improvement going ahead.

If he would make that move that we all know he is terrified of, I believe many would honestly reset for a second chance. Leaving it this way is not helping himself or the club.

We're in a period of hanging in, because the powers that be have totally screwed up recruitment, and negative recruitment that has left us where we are.

Kenwright, amongst others, needs to cut and run. Kenwright is the problem, no and ifs or buts. How can a successful businessman like Moshiri be hoodwinked by Kenwright?

Simple: Moshiri despite his investment, saw a future return, which currently has failed to materialise.

Kenwright is our biggest problem, until he goes, nothing will change!!! Bring Usmanov in, ditch Kenwright, 50/60% of the problem solved.

However, what do I know?

Regarding his "passion" running around the sideline punching his fist in the air and tossing ballboys, he only did that a couple of times. Which makes him pretty much like most managers; Klopp, Mourinho, and Pep included. Probably less than Mou or Klopp.

The rest of the time, he was silent and thoughtful on the sideline, again like most managers.

The big questions for him are, once again, like other managers. How is the training, the strategy planning for opponents, in-game tactical shifts, and (most important to me) how well he runs the dressing room.

If he gets a run (and I'm supporting he gets one this time), let's see how he answers those questions. Questions needing answers from any manager/head coach in any pro sport, in any country. Big Dunc no different.

That means, that there should be no problem with the entire support getting behind the team on Saturday,.

Ashworth has been instrumental in turning Brighton from small fry into a very well run club that looks set to challenge the top 8 and higher over the next few years.

Would love to get him. So long as he is allowed to do his job without too much interference from Bill and Farhad.

That view seems to make a bit of a mockery of post #149 on the "Everton to Approach Derby regarding Rooney" thread, though I do suspect the composer of the post is a troll!!

Get him in place and charge him with appointing the new manager. Put a clause in his contract to protect him from any interference from non-executive directors!!!

I did hear today that one player said that yesterday was the most enjoyable training session he'd had at Finch Farm for a very long time, and that is maybe because Duncan Ferguson is a man who doesn't try and over complicate anything, hopefully?

I doubt Ashworth or anyone of that ilk would touch Everton with a bargepole until Kenwright is ousted or at least pushed sideways to a non-harming role.

By the way, would anyone else be tempted to play young Godfrey as a midfielder? The more I think about our lack of pace there, the more it appeals to me. Ask him and Allan to be the holding and covering midfielders with Doucouré licence to get forward.

Bring in the two new left- and right-backs with no holds barred on getting forward, and start Mina and Branthwaite in the middle with a view to holding a higher line.

Gray, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin upfront.

I know we have only seen young Branthwaite on a few occasions but he can't be any worse than Michael Keane.

On paper, at least, Dan Ashworth would make sense. Problem, as you say, is the level of likely interference.

Like other posters, I have the concern that most appointments are likely to struggle unless and until the issue of club governance is addressed.

At the present time, and for the next few weeks, having Ferguson in charge is a sensible pragmatic decision. He and Baines know exactly who and what players Everton have at their disposal, what they are capable of, and who could possibly step up. Any new manager wouldn't.

I don't honestly know whether all these ex-Blues names being bandied about would make any difference. Does Pep get Man City?

It's like watching an old war film where you see a ship torpedoed and you have to watch from afar as the inevitable happens and you can't do anything about it, no matter what.

It would seem from what I've been reading over the last 4 or 5 years that the Everton offices, system, management on the non-footballing side has been and is badly run. Why or how that is, I don't know… but I feel as though it's like that for 20 or 30 years. Root and branch, it would appear as if a torch should be taken to it and it all swept away.

I've been a Bluenose since 1954, first going as kid at school, Tochy Tech, and been an addict ever since. I never comment on tactics or formations mainly because I don't know enough about them, I've just enjoyed Everton and their football. Not so much in the last couple of years.

The whole management structure needs changing. I wish somebody had the cojones to say "Hey Moshiri... Stop!! Take a deep breath. Just because you read a first-aid book, it doesn't make you a doctor. Let the professionals sort it."

I have mentioned this man's name before and quite recently so did another poster: Nicola Cortese. He took over Southampton when they were a basket case. Within a couple of years, he'd turned things around and turned them into a very professional and prosperous club.

Like Johnny Morrissey, he took no prisoners; however, Johnny often took them before they'd surrendered! I would love him at Everton. Take the time to read about scouting a young Coutinho and eventually getting Pochettino.

Christophe Galtier was the manager at Lille, did a wonderful job, turned the club completely and they won around and they won La Liga, he's doing a great job now at Nice. His name was mooted for Everton but nothing came of it.

He had a fabulous scout, Luis Campos. He found so many good players completely off the radar. The midfielder currently at Brighton that everyone raves about is one of his. Everton should be getting him here. Arsenal were sniffing.

Over a period, there have been many comments about Duncan Ferguson. No ambition, no bottle, no ability, just move. Did you ever have a girlfriend that you knew in your heart was no good for you, your heath and your sanity? You couldn't see at the time but you could probably have done better but you stuck with it because you loved her? I wonder if he feels like that?

Wherever Everton end up, I'll still follow them come what may and they put a Dolly Blue Bag in the box with me.

George, I know you're out there. Every Evertonian would love to hear your thoughts.

So you're saying: if they are mad, terrible, or desperate apply within. Jeez, I bet you're boss on a night out! 😆

We are a rudderless ship heading towards the rocks, gentlemen. Will Duncan even be allowed to ask for any incomings or outgoings?

Moshiri can stick to getting the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock up and running and hopefully then we don't have to read about him wanting Mourinho or any other so-called Hollywood manager.

A Chelsea player (I can't remember which) said Conte's first training session was hell. One of ours said enjoyable. Hmm... Did they stop halfway through and had a browse through Kenwright's scrapbook?

Flog 'em to death and the ones still standing are Everton players.

Very good post.

I read today we want Dan Ashworth from Brighton as our new director of football who seems to be in much demand. Is Cahill No.2 choice or would they do different roles? I'd be interested in Cahill having a role at the club irrespective of Ashworth coming in to sort things out.

If Dan Ashworth could be persuaded to come I wonder if that would mean Graham Potter would come in this summer? That would seem a good plan with Dunc guiding the ship in the meantime.

As I said, if you have anything to say with a gram of sense in it, then say it, you're finding that impossible just now.

I am a supporter of Everton FC

I boo the players of the club.

Can you see the conflict in these statements?

Who doesn't love simplicity? I honestly think it's got to be one of the most underrated aspects, just as long as it doesn't become to easy or to to tedious, although I honestly don't know what Duncan's training actually consisted of.

No team can be successful without intensity today. If you play matches solely not to lose them as our last two mangers have. You are conserving energy.
That why we cant play two good halves...Ever

Its not something you can turn on or off - "save a bit for the second half boys". Nor is it something you import over a number of years. It's developed from within. Its born out of collective desire and practice.

Drives me nuts when people claim we were "out on our feet" against Arsenal just because we didnt hit the heights we had hit against Chelsea and at Old Trafford.. If that was the case why didnt Arsenal Breeze past them ? and if this effort was so unsustainable. How come the same group of "Utterly Goosed" players won their next two EPL games within the space of seven days ?

How can we ever expect our players to play the high press, high intensity game you see from the top teams, if we are going to offer them all the excuses under the sun not to ?

Farhad Moshiri should have learned a lesson from his own appointment of Colin Chong to be the project manager of BMD. Chong is no doubt succeeding because he is a very experienced construction man with a project plan - and I'll lay odds that Farhad or Bill haven't interfered.

That is also why he should appoint an experienced football man as DOF to replace Marcel Brands. Someone with absolute control and responsibility for the football side of the business accountable only to the owner.

But it has to be a big hitter - someone who the manager will respect and be willing to take advice from. Personally I think Duncan Ferguson would thrive in that sort of structure.

In their last two games Villa have played with width, and then pushed it back inside, giving their midfielders space to drive forward. This area has been Everton's biggest weakness all season imo, and is also why I thought Leicester gave us the runaround in that first half, so it will definitely be interesting to see what happens on Saturday afternoon.

I never went that Arsenal game, but if I thought it was dull listening to the first half on the radio, it definitely got worse watching the second half on the telly, but I definitely agree with you about everything else, because the harder you work, the easier it becomes, unless you haven't quite got enough ability.

And that was at Marine last night as they lost their 3rd consecutive home game, having won the previous 9!

But you will not maintain that over several games, over a season and let alone consistently over seasons if you don't have the players and you haven't conditioned them for it.

With this team, we might get a bounce, now that the toxicity has been lifted. But I'd be surprised (pleasantly) if they can maintain the level of intensity you are talking about on a consistent basis in the short term.

Playing not to lose. That's been a problem since the Moyes days. It has been trademark Everton and trademark a lot of clubs in the Premier League but fortunately, it seems to be a dying trait. Play to win.

You mentioned earlier that you / we (not I) need to get Duncan out of our system. Benitez aside, as that was a special case, we need to get the manager being the problem out of our system.

The club needs restructuring at board level and we need better players. You'll turn this lot into winners for several games at best, just as Ancelotti and Benitez did before reality kicked in. That should keep us up and we can claim "victory".

The problem with this club isn't the managerial position but it's killing us because continuously blaming it deflects from the root cause.

If I was Dan Ashworth, I would be calling those two guys and after speaking with them giving EFC the widest possible berth.

However, whilst they are playing the game, I have always urged them on, and have never aimed any vitriol at the team or any particular player.

Why I or any other Evertonian should have to justify the way they support the team to another Evertonian is very strange, but it seems that there is an ever increasing number of fellow supporters who seem to think that there is only way to go about it.

Anyway I have seen Everton all over the country and indeed Europe for over fifty years, so I can sleep easily at night, knowing that I have contributed as much as I could to the cause of Everton Football Club.

The current board we have are proving to be so irresponsible and incapable of running a football club that they are risking the existence of our great club. I would love to see lots of banners protesting against them this weekend because this can't go on.

Duncan looks to once again have been put in the hotspot that he clearly doesn't want but he should be given all the support we can give him and then hope things improve. He may just be the man to turn it around for us and save us from the idiots up top making more stupid decisions.

Out with the Board.

We have followed. We continue to follow. And we will always follow. Nothing will ever stop that. It's irreversible.

Like you say, when the team is on the pitch, all they get is our desire to see them win. Some will vent frustration at the odd misplaced pass or going down a goal or 2, but the support is there. And we have fantastic support - that's not me being biased, you know better than me.

They don't deserve us right now. But like every marriage, you go through rough patches. Love is eternal and you work through the bad times as much as you enjoy the good times.

Pickford.
Coleman, Mina, Branthwaite, Godfrey.
Gordon, Allan, Gomes, Gray.
Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

Duncan has all of his badges and just about knows everything there is to know about this club. If he has not been asked to do the job, then my thoughts are he has told the two idiots at the top that he doesn't want it.

He does not want to leave the club and failing as a manager is a short way to that. Maybe he just needs a bit of confidence or something but if he did want it then I'm sure he would have come in front of Rooney, Lampard, Dyche and a few others mentioned.

My own theory on Duncan is that he does very little at the club but be a watch over man for Bungling Bill.

Or to sum it up – Mr Moshiri, we know you have spent £500M of your own money. We know you own 92% of this club but what we want you to do is not have any say in how your company is run or how your money is spent.

I know you are frustrated – but does it still sound a sensible suggestion?

Phil L, you're dropping Doucouré on form but keeping Coleman? Doucouré wasn't good at Norwich, but Seamus was friggin' horrendous. I think even he would support a debut for Patterson.

Duncan Ferguson went bankrupt having ripped off us and Newcastle as a player and only then pleaded to join Everton, without any qualifications or credible history as a coach, and that fanny Kenwright took him on.

Since then he's kept his trap shut, turned up daily on a good screw (for a bankrupt addicted to feeding his precious pigeons) for a roundabout of managers who all brought their own trusted coaches to actually work with the first-team. He's sat next to the manager like a silent, immobile Kenwright-protected totem-pole in matches, sought no advancement anywhere else and has for crystal-clear reasons never been sought after by any other club as a coach.

How the hell anybody among our number accords him any credibility at all as even a temporary manager is bizarre to me.

Not my thing but pigeon fancying is not a crime is it? People (including me) think he should be given a chance based on his player knowledge and his galvanising effect last time.

So he's his own man, is he? So was Brian Clough, so that's no issue for me: and maybe he's matured. Or is that not allowed?

All that said, I think you are holding back a bit Don: why not tell us what you really think?

I'll be there on Saturday and I'll give him and the team all the support I can. So there: put that in your rolled-up copy of the Daily Mail and smoke it...

Talk about a character assassination.

I have said it for too long now but without any joy that, sooner or later, we will stumble upon somebody that just happens to work well for us all. If that happens to be Duncan, then I'll be over the moon for him.

There's a serious lack of football intelligence running through the club from business level right down to grassroots. We need somebody similar to Wenger who can deal with all these issues, including the ground move, without interference from Laurel and Hardy.

Pigeon fancying not a crime? You might have a different view if you ever lived next door to one as the birds don't arrive home and disappear straight into the roost for a snack, a drink and a lie down as they spend a lot of the time cooing on somebody's roof while checking they are in the right area.

Pickford didn't say any of this in the Echo article.

Kenwright has form for being the saviour and all-round nice guy to a fallen or untried case. Baxter, Ebbrell, Jeffers... even the CEO and Sharp if we are being honest. Those just off the top of my head.

Your view is about to be proven or not if Dunc gets a decent run of games to see if he's all ball-boy embracing fist-pumping or he's maybe, just maybe, the real deal. We need a lofty position by May (no pidgin pun intended).

Re "How the hell anybody among our number accords him any credibility at all as even a temporary manager is bizarre to me".

His record as a "temporary manager" is 1 win (3-1 v Chelsea), 2 draws (v Man U and Arsenal) and 0 losses. A short career, I accept, but nonetheless, bizarre or otherwise, that sounds fairly credible to me.

"You do not maintain that over a season". You've been watching season after season of total zombie football produced by cowardly managers and now you want 38 games of high intensity? If we played half a season like that, it would be 19 games better than we are getting now.

I don't think you are getting the point. Man City or Liverpool did not import intensity, they imported skill. None of their players played in teams like this before. They were coached a high press from their current coaches. I don't even know who Jordan Henderson is these days...

These coaches demand that they play in a way you claim is unsustainable and they don't do it for 38 games. They go deep into other tournaments. They do it for around 50 games... every season.

It's what makes good teams great. Average teams, good. Poor teams, average. Think Bielsa. I hear this levelled at his teams all the time, but he is still in the Premier League with a bunch of less-than-average players who were languishing in the lower levels before he came... and they would go straight back to where they came from if he left tomorrow.

So what if they take the occasional hiding? That will happen with players as poor as theirs. But they are taking these hidings in the Premier League – that would never have happened if he hadn't introduced these "unsustainable" tactics.

Tony,

Leicester did dominate the first half. Man Utd dominated much of the game too, as did Chelsea and to a lesser degree Arsenal. Every team we played in that period was miles better then us...

Under Silva, we were going down, but we did not take our now customary backward step and not one of them could beat us in a match.

This is a serious question for both you and Danny. If the players had been so destroyed by tactics, how did they win the next two games in less than a week? Carlo had not yet got them on a training pitch, so they were playing the same team and the same formation.

When City need to rest somebody, they bring in a £50M superstar or the next big thing from their academy; we have Delph, Gbamin, Tosun or Rondon.

Obviously there is a level somewhere between their intensity and ours but I fear Duncan will give it the full Braveheart treatment from Saturday and people like Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Mina will all be back on the treatment table by February.

I meant sustain it with this bunch right now. It took them and Klopp a couple of seasons to being able to sustain that type of high intensity pressing. Yes, they brought in better quality (skill) but also players who could play that way. But it didn't happen continuously and instantly with the players Klopp inherited. And they did import intensity; Klopp brought in his "gegenpresser" style and gradually players who could play it on a sustainable basis.

Great point on Henderson; with you on that. I've often commented that he was an average player surrounded by better ones. But he's been coached, bought into the manager's tactics and improved no end. Those who didn't or couldn't were replaced. He worked hard and has now lifted the Champion's League and Premier League trophies. That's what they've done, not just brought in better players, but ones that can suit the system that Rangnick introduced to European football. I'm not giving that copyright to Klopp despite Sky's insistence.

In direct response to your specific question, I guess there was a combination of the typical new manager bounce and Duncan lifting the atmosphere as well as motivating them prior to Ancelotti's arrival. And that's what he's good at. I wish he would do it more – or be allowed to.

He's shown it as a player and his short stint as caretaker. But then a manager comes in and he seems to revert within himself. Whoever the next manager is, if Duncan stays, be vocal. Let the manager make the decisions, let him be the motivator. Sorry to revert to Army analogy; the Officer and the Sergeant Major. Kendall and Harvey springs to mind.

But back to my thought process; would it have been sustainable with that squad and those players? I guess we'll never know. With this current squad, maybe we'll get a chance to see until the end of the season if it is.

I'm not saying it's not feasible or possible. Just that it will take a while to condition current players who are up to it and the need to bring in players who fit that model. So unsustainable in the short term with the squad we have now. Some will be able to do it, some will need to be conditioned over time, others simply never will. It will take time to do that week on week, season over season.

And be as lucky (yes lucky – no bitterness) with injuries as they seem to have been blessed with or have a squad with the depth of quality Man City have.

He can start focusing on his coaching badges, being only 3 years behind Wayne Rooney in age it's maybe time to start thinking about him being a potential Everton manager in the fledging years of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, or maybe Big Duncan's bootroom successor after the transformational ‘other Ferguson like' next decade!!! (We can dream!)

Leave Kenny and Patterson to fight out first-choice right-back for the remainder of the season, avoid the indignity of being dropped (needs to be) and with Holgate and Godfrey capable of stepping in too, I just don't see any risks here.

That said, we seem to have gone a step further and pretty much given a cushy number to ex-players who aren't ready to leave.

For example, I think that's enough with Duncan. He's earned a shot (and I hope gets it). Serving as number 2 is a credible alternate pathway to the top job.

But if we ultimately appoint someone else, then it's now time for him to leave. I love the guy but we're not a safe house for ex-players – appoint a proper number 2. What's the point in him remaining as Assistant Manager if he's never going to progress?

I think the players had a right to be tired in that Arsenal game, and I also think that once you start working people harder they get conditioned to it.

But football is always about the players, and when they are trying because they don't really know the new manager, I think it's fair to say they are always going to be putting it in.

Regarding the "gram of sense", you refer to, can I refer you back to the two consecutive statements you made in post 379, that related to the same point, ie, "Of course I don't believe it, that's why I said it", followed by "But yes I do believe it, as is my absolute right".

Then at post 422 you say to Barry, on more or less the same issue, "Can you see the conflict in these statements?"

We have never met so I don't know your personality, and perhaps your writing style is unfortunate, but your comments to other posters seems to contain an "arrogance" that suggests you are always right and everyone else is wrong.

However, when you send a post that contains two consecutive statements that are diamtrically opposite, both of which you maintain to be true, how can you then suggest that another correspondent doesn't "Make a gram of sense"?

As to the idea that DF somehow 'wormed his way in' to coaching, through a gullible BK; let me set the record straight. This comes from a source within Finch Farm, who I obviously cannot name; but is supported by articles in the L. Echo.

DF wanted to do his coaching badges and keep fit. He asked if he could use the gym at FF and observe some coaching sessions. He did, and after one of the sessions, he spoke to one of the strikers and suggested he do something slightly different. The player did and it worked. Another forward sought his advice, which was given and made a difference. The young players were then constantly asking DF for tips.

He was then asked to assist on an unpaid basis. After doing this for some time, he passed his badges and was having such a positive effect on the players, he was asked to coach full time as a salaried employee.

It was the players and the existing coaching staff who asked him to help, he did not impose himself on anyone.

I am no great fan of Duncan, but I cannot allow things to be said about him, which I know to be inaccurate.

Also, while the care of pigeons may be slightly unusual, the last time I looked, it wasn't a crime!

I suppose it's difficult to keep up such drive, but regarding setting the team up and tactics, so far as I could see, there was no evidence that Dunc was any worse than the highly-paid managers like Koeman et al.

Sometimes on here, we all play Devil's Advocate, have different opinions and opine our own. Get emotional through blue tinted glasses, rant, vent and say things we didn't mean. Just as we would in a pub on match day. It's just in the written word, black and white so to speak, some of the context can get lost. But you, more than I, will know that you can be held to account for what you write once it's committed.

In my opinion, and despite what I say, have said and will no doubt say in future, is that ultimately I don't care whether they are ex Everton or not. I don't care if they come from Huyton, Scotland Road, Scotland, Italy or Brazil. I don't care how they ended up with or end up with the job.

If they do it well, give me a team I enjoy watching and maybe achieve some success on the way, I just don't care.

And if they don't. I'll still follow and watch them because I am the proverbial fool on the hill.

Kloppo experienced plenty of dips in team performance over his first two seasons, but the gradual introduction of better players and consistency in the tactics applied eventually paid off.

Of course, the lorryload of inhalers were useful as well.

I wouldn't have a problem giving him the job full time but he said at that time he didn't want it. Maybe he has again told the club he doesn't want to be the permanent manager.

Off topic, I see they are making Aston Villa slight favourites in our meeting on Saturday.

Many thought the #27 Years protest a disloyal waste of time. The #27 years pre-publicity at that game resulted in the members of the Board being targeted, rather than exclusively the manager.

Prior to the game, Kenwright went on Twitter in panic, calling all of us all his 'brothers'. Brands was scapegoated. An emergency Board Meeting was called to be held on a Sunday. Our Chief Executive announced a Strategic Review and a meeting was being held with the ESSG (Everton Sanctioned Supporter Clubs), now called the IESG (Independent Everton Supporters Groups).

Well, the manager deserving or not is gone, but the problem of the Board, now reinforced by an ex-player, is still there. Self-preservation of certain parties at Everton is more important than the management of the team. Moshiri may try to impose a big name, but I think he is a busted flush on that front.

This has been the case numerous times. Moshiri can be influenced by fan pressure and has been on decisions. The Board know that and fear it.

I would just add to your post by saying that a lot of credit for Duncan still being at Everton was down to David Moyes. Ferguson admits he was wrong when he left Everton and he didn't shake Moyes by the hand.

But despite that, as Ferguson has himself said, Moyes welcomed in back and encouraged him to get his badges and it was indeed Moyes who offered him a coaching role.

https://twitter.com/louorns/status/1484130504676884484?s=21

If we win, then a lot of people will be wanting Duncan to be given the rest of the season, but if we lose, then I'm not sure what the reaction will be? So hopefully Ferguson gets the reaction that Benitez couldn't.

Good luck for Saturday, boys, we all need a lift, not just the ball-boys!

Jordan Pickford on Ferguson Factor

The Big Yin himself in a near 10-minute interview.

Duncan Ferguson on Being Caretaker Manager

Crisp, concise and very clear in his answers as he always appears, nothing in there to suggest he expects to get the gig full-time, or even to the end of the season.

He speaks about the club going through the recruitment process and getting the right man in.

Intends to keep it simple as before. "Play your best players in their best positions." Expects from the players what all fans expect. "Give your all, every single time."

No hiding away from the long losing run. "Results haven't been great. They've been very poor, to be honest with you."

His closing message to the fans: "Get behind the team. Be yourself."

You don't want to be chasing points from the last 4 games of the season. Tough fixtures!

I'm nervous.

At the moment I can only assume other fans like myself have felt lifted this week, with a belief we can actually go out there and compete.

Just pisses me off, all this feelgood factor, could end after the Villa game, if we bring yet another outside manager in.

Surely to god we should give Dunc and Baines more time, instead of rushing another Manager, have a good look and longer stint, to fully assess once and for all if Dunc is up to it or not.

But flipping that around, what if Duncan was the one to take us down. His Alan Shearer moment.

Unthinkable.

An aside (Certainly if we can sign a tough midfield enforcer to play with Allan and Doucoure, allowing Doucoure freedom to support attacks.) Not signing one, even on loan, unnecessarily adds to our risk. To me this was priority no1 for January to get our team working better balanced as a unit. It would both help us defensively and add attacking threat too.

In June when there or four huge contracts are ending then the incumbent or new chosen manager will have a pre season and headroom to sign three or four new players. 22/23 can start with a clean slate and optimism can peep back over the parapet.

According to Jim White today we won't be making any more signings. I hope that is rubbish, and has not come from Mr Moshiri.

But then again, who else is going to?

I don't think it's going to come to that personally, but if you're a potential manger looking at Everton right now, you're likely waiting until this season is over.

Even if we only give it Dunc on a four week basis, then look to extend if all is going well, if not then yes bring someone in, but at least give him enough time to have a look, instead of one game.

You do not need a bigger squad than we have to play a high energy high press game. You may need a better one if City are going to be your yard stick.

City do it best. The shite do it second best. Chelsea are right behind. Its what you have to do in the modern game If you want to compete at the right end of the table. If Ferguson cant get his players on the front foot for EVERY single match. Then we need to find somebody who can.

We cant approach each game in a semi committed manner because we are worried that DCL, Richarlison and Mina will be on the treatment table in February. We'll be relegated...and besides. Mina will end up there anyway.

for 25 years I have watched this club go into games on the back foot from the off. I have always believed Ferguson could change that, but if he starts that back foot lark he can do one too.

I cant be doing with this "lets save ourselves for later games" or "Lets protect the injured" lark. I'm sick of half baked performances.

I want to see my team play like there is no tomorrow.

Richarlison and Mina coming on changed the game. We were 10 yards higher up the pitch and Richarlison was a threat. But by then, we were 2-0 down.

So if not fit enough for 90, why didn't we start them and win the game then take them off rather than rest them only to bring them on when chasing the game and Norwich had put a yellow brick wall in front of us?

It's gone, it's the past, but it still grates.

You do need a big squad to do it consistently in the modern game (City). You do need better players (City, Chelsea & Liverpool). Or you need to have signed a pact with someone to keep your best ones relatively free from injury as Liverpool seem to do so.

This is not about competing with better squads for the the title. Its about getting on the front foot in a division were at least 60% of the other teams have weaker squads than we do.

Its about getting among the top six or seven. Building a platform for the next stage (wont be done in one leap)..Developing a style of play that will be adopted right through the club so that reserves (even lesser players) can come in and know what is expected of them Its about moving away from eternal Zombie football.

Homer simpson has a phrase which perfectly encapsulates the attitude of out club and a good number of its supporters - "Cant win, don't try"

So I'm with you on that. The problem we've had is we have a good team for a while, but a thin squad. As soon as you scratch the surface and suffer injuries, suspensions etc, we've fallen on our arse. Regardless of manager.

To progress, we need a squad that has depth in both numbers and better quality. That will only happen over time and with a sensible transfer strategy. We've afforded countless managers and 2 DoF neither of those commodities.