9 Games to Save One of the Proudest Records in Football

We are now getting down to "Last chance saloon" opportunities to get points in the bank.

Questions abound around certain players but IMO there can be no doubt that Allan's return is very welcome and Seamus having a rest after his customary international exertion should leave him in better shape.

United have rapid pace on the break so I think Godfrey (despite his mistakes) and Brandthwaite should retain their places. Questions have to be raised regarding Mykolenko although he did show green shoots on Wednesday.

The big question for me and I'm sure many of us including the manager is what midfield lineup will we go for?

Is it Allan, Doucouré and Delph with Gordon, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin or Gray up front or do we give the enigmatic Iwobi another chance to show he is not a headless chicken? An alternative would be to play Kenny in front of Coleman to shore up that flank and beef up our defensive capabilities.

Decisions, decisions but lets hope the 12th man is in full force and can lift these players.

COYB

KENWRIGHT OUT

I think this will be a highly charged game which may be too quick for Rodon but he may be brought on near the end as players tire.

Personally, I have no faith in Iwobi.

I think Lyndon is right to leave out Doucouré and play Delph alongside Allan. I would also play Rondon up front. He was only on for a few minutes against Burnley but at least won a header and had a shot on goal – something Calvert-Lewin never achieved in 90 minutes.

I think for someone to play up front and have only 1 assist to his name in nearly 2 seasons says everything you need to know about Calvert-Lewin. Maybe bring Calvert-Lewin on in the 2nd half if Rondon tires and, with Van de Beek being illegible, if Dele Alli doesn't start this game, then maybe he won't start any at all.

My biggest worry is Rooney apparently said on Sky on Monday that Man Utd shouldn't have gone for Ronaldo, and Ronaldo has tweeted back... I wonder if we will suffer the backlash from Rooney's comments?

We all knew our defence is shite and were desperate for a decent centre-back. Just about sums Lampard up...

Dele Alli, if fit. Maybe. Only one way to find out.

Psychologically, I believe it will be damaging and these players have displayed little fight or passion all season. Can't see that changing to get out of the Bottom 3. With up-and-coming games against Leicester, Liverpool and Chelsea we could be adrift of 17th.

No slip-up here. 3 points is a must.

Fans do their part by turning up to shit shows so the players need to buck up and grow a pair or feck off and stay at home.

Rondon over Calvert-Lewin on his form so far, yes, but will Frank go for him?

9 games... 27 points – I can't see us getting any – prove me wrong, you shit bags. 😡😡😡

Everyone on here knows this of course but it understandably doesn't get mentioned or appreciated so often. These unique records have the worth of a traditional honour or two IMO.

Tradition and history is widely marginalized in life now. The wrong elements of it can be very damaging as I think we are well aware here, but the right parts of it are still tacitly, enviously admired in sport. Many of today's successful clubs will never be able to achieve it in the same way Everton and a select few others have.

Something unrepeatable will be lost to us forever, should the worst happen. One would like to think there was a way of translating the magnitude of this into some influence on the remaining match performances of this season. We can but hope.

Our record is unique and will be tarnished for decades even if we bounced back (unlikely with this squad and this management committee).

Thanks, a friend.

In terms of Dele, Frank has taken a chance on previous history and the chance of a fresh start but he hasn't grasped the nettle. Against West Ham, he was warming up beside Noble and basically had a chin wag for easily 20 minutes before he was given a bollocking off Gordon as he warmed up and had obviously been told to have a word as he ran past.

He's now not getting in the team for 4 different managers and, with the injuries and suspensions we've had, should be a regular starter! Must be a waster!

We, on paper, will be in the Bottom 3 after this weekend and, if we do slip in there, I think this bunch of duffers will stay there.

It's bad enough getting all this stick in our present situation – what the hell it'll be like if the worse happens?

The sooner we get Mina back, the better.

I'd written him off, having previously supported him against the numbskulls who don't actually watch what's in front of their eyes and who routinely gave him dog's abuse, because he'd been poor. But he's come good again and we're fools if we don't recognise it. We have no-one who can pick a pass like him.

Like Sigurdsson and Rodriguez, he may lose the ball a few times, but he has moments in the game and has end product. It might mean Richarlsion goes to the right.

This means Gordon on the bench or into midfield either side of the number 6, in a 3. Gordon is the best tackler of the wide players, but just not ready in terms of end product like Gray. So Gray plays further forward for me.

Get Gray in the mood to have a go from the left, Richarlison terrorising their defense, Calvert-Lewin a bit more ugly like Diego Costa, we have a chance.

I also thought Iwobi did well creatively against Burnley. The issue is that most of our players are deeply flawed as players and as people. So Frank has to figure out a way to utilize each player's strengths -- those that have them.

If Iwobi is making chances, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison need to finish them. If Iwobi is useless at tackling, someone like Allan needs to tackle more since he has free time on his hands a normal midfielder would use to attack -- something Allan is incapable of.

If he loses, he needs to go straight after the game cos he will be a totally busted flush. Whilst that is not ideal, we then get the chance to get a hard-nosed experienced manager to come in and get us 3 wins.

I've never seen anything in Delph to warrant his being on the bench, let alone selection. If he's on the teamsheet, will he even make it as far as the pitch?

I think tomorrow will effectively be the end. The crowd will do its best, but every opponent knows that if they last 15 minutes they can then capitalise on the inevitable mistakes. Even if we have a lead, we are incapable of holding onto it unless it's a very late goal.

No doubt Blue Bill will want everyone there tomorrow to forget about the present and remember the 'good times'. He could do a hell of a job in Putin's propaganda ministry.

Looking for a result tomorrow is a triumph of optimism over experience. After Wednesday, I can barely even summon up a shout of COYB. I can no longer bear to look as I feel like a rubbernecker slowing down to gawp at a terrible accident.

Leave them on the bench, which means Coleman, Begovic, Allan, Branthwaite, Rondon, maybe Dele Alli and Delph to start. Radical but necessary.

Regarding Arsenal, they were, of course, relegated before The Great War & controversially returned to the top flight after the conflict was over, despite finishing 5th in Division 2 in the last completed season before football stopped for the war, & have remained there ever since.

Tony - I've always been aware of and frustrated by Iwobi's shortcomings. Behind it all though has always been something useable waiting to come forth, if only he could back himself mentally (and be played in the right way).

Maybe Arsenal fans joked at the sale to our club, but I saw a lot of potential in him when playing there. Ironic it's starting to show now amidst the current chaos. We need everything we can get.

We're so utterly appalling that, by the laws of our even more appalling universe, the opposite of the apparently inevitable outcome must come true.

There's an equation for it somewhere. Follow the science.

Fear has gripped this team but we will sing to them tomorrow, we will tell these players who we are and remind them who they are.

See how you feel at full time tomorrow...

We can do this Everton.

Kenny cannot start as Man Utd will target him and, as Coleman has been ill, how well he feels will decide if he starts.

Godfrey being an athlete may well pop up at right-back. Keane will come in after his rest and should partner Branthwaite. Myolenko at left-back.

Allan obviously starts. However, I would not pick Doucouré. Delph plays with Iwobi. If Iwobi is not ready, then Dele Alli has to come in and give it a go. If he can't get up for a game against Man Utd, he may as well pack his bags and go on his hols now.

Calvert-Lewin should be benched and Rondon (omg, I've said it out loud) should come in. His height will be useful at corners, both attacking and defending. Stick him on the edge of the 6-yard box near post when they have a corner.

Richarlison on the left. I would give El Ghazi a go for this one. He scored 10 goals for Villa last season and we need goals. Gordon to replace Richarlison on the hour mark if he's running empty.

Pickford, Godfrey, Keane, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Allan, Delph, Iwobi or Alli, Richarlison, Rondon and El Ghazi.

So no Holgate, Kenny, Gomes, Calvert-Lewin, Gray or Doucoure who are all struggling right now. Keane is in because there is no-one else and he has had a rest. Am I confident in this line-up? Not really… but I can't think of a better one right now.

COYBs do yourselves a favour and get those 3 points. Prove to Dyche you can win a game!!

Godfrey
Branthwaite
Keane
Mykolenko

Allan
Doucouré
Iwobi

Gordon
Calvert-Lewin (but I have no idea why)
Richarlison

That is all!!

Relegation is virtually nailed on – not only are all concerned a stain on the club's history but an embarrassment to top flight football. The club is a study in ineptitude from top to toe and has been for decades; if it was a racehorse, it would have been shot years ago.

Hopefully Man Utd and others turn up wearing end-of-season flip-flops because, if they and others decide to give us a game, we'll be down with games to spare, and deservedly so.

Also, Dele Alli. You're right. Top level footballer (as he really was) at his age, you'd think he'd be straining at the leash to get out there to play United. We don't know the realities but if he isn't, then there's a real problem.

It's akin to asking Michael Angelo to paint the Sistine Chapel with Johnsons paint. However you do it, it's still not convincing. At least he goes home to Christine so don't feel too sorry for him!

That game vs Burnley has gone and needs to be forgotten. Against Wimbledon in 1994, we were 2-down with 50-odd minutes left to save our skins. By contrast, we have 9 games (5 at home) to make a difference.

The crowd was magnificent against Leeds and Newcastle and the points were consequently gained. We must continue to do our duty and make Goodison a seething cauldron. Only blue flags... no white ones please.

If somehow we get 4 points v Man Utd and Leicester City, we may then need say 7 more points with Brentford and Palace at home to come. We have to believe we can do this. It ain't over till it's over!

How bad are we when Alex Iwobi is one of our better players?

Delph on the bench if Doucouré starts loafing. Calvert-Lewin on the bench for firepower if needed, but he's playing like he doesn't actually care 100% in my opinion, so start on the bench. Dele Alli on the bench – Jesus, what's the point of this fella?

Holgate on the bench, only in for injury – he's been awful. Dobbin – because I'd light a fire with a young, energetic kid at some point. Mykolenko on the bench and he doesn't deserve it but I'd prefer Godfrey at left-back, I just trust him at that position despite his unforgivable gaff at centre-back against Burnley.

The rest... just pick 'em.

See if bringing Calvert-Lewin gives him the rocket up his backside he needs.

On Wednesday, I went to the funeral of a guy I used to play with. Maybe that's what put it in my mind. I hope it wasn't an omen.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Branthwaite Mykolenko
Gordon Allan Doucouré Gray
Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Thought about Richarlison doing a Joelinton and playing on the left of a midfield 3, but we need him as a goal threat. Go old-fashioned and play the flanks with crosses. Dobbin or Dele, Rondon and El Ghazi from the bench if we end up chasing. Delph, Godfrey and Kenny if we somehow get 2 ahead.

We have to keep our nerve. Every one of us. After what befell him last weekend, I send particular posso waves to George McKane, and look forward to his words in the morning.

Moshiri will place more faith in Ferguson getting results than anything Lampard has done.

George is always inspiring, even in response to shocking events.

A lone striker to operate as a workhorse and somebody behind him ready to drop back to form a midfield line of five would make us more solid than we have been.

As none of the above seems to fit with Frank's philosophy, I am not expecting anything like it in his team selection. We can only hope United are as lethargic as they apparently have been in recent games. If they turn up aiming to prove their critics wrong, it could be a long, difficult afternoon.

Man Utd can be beaten and, if Everton do their best for 97 minutes, then they can beat them.

Pressure De Gea, and target their centre-backs, they can be rattled.

UTFT!

I think we will need a shot-stopper in goal for this one so, for me, Pickford it is for this one. I am not sure about Delph though so I would start Godfrey alongside Allan where his athleticism will be valuable. He can help Mykolenko and Gordon can help Coleman.

Iwobi has shown that he can pick a pass so he deserves to start.

I am sticking with my shout to start Rondon – he will give McGuire a tough game and will bring Richarlison into the play.

A come-from-behind win for us 2-1. Goodison goes ballistic.

Pickford
Coleman, Keane, Branthwaite, Mykolenko
Gordon, Allan, Godfrey, Iwobi
Richarlison
Rondon.

Up the Blues.

As much as I hate to say it, maybe we need Allan and Delph in the middle tomorrow for some defensive cover, as we can't defend for the life of us at the moment.

Keane back in an-all. Calvert-Lewin and Rondon up top. Gray on the bench. Richarlison and Gordon on the wings. Old skool 4-4-2.

As someone who watched Everton throughout the '90s, then I'm kind of excited for the next month or so.

I'm sure relegation battles are more exciting than a season petering out in 10th.

4 points from the next two games please.

Of the clubs we were with in founding the Football League in 1888; Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke (as they were known at the time), West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, we have ever since been acknowledged as the only "top club" among them - for way more than a century.

Therefore just why should we now be proud of our relegation history? Compared to the endless mediocre rest of the founding clubs it's the least to be expected surely? Right now Everton have at last been caught out having had a wank in public according the football industry.

Kenwright and those he controls will just love the all but tacit acceptance of relegation after so many decades of his, ahem, "good times" seasons under his control.

No club I'm aware of in Premier League history has had the historic right to point a 100% finger as we have at Kenwright and those he's brought into the club decade after decade to our huge demise.

Relegation was never inevitable. No, it's been earned and deserved by the total football inanity that's been our owner/chairman posing as our guardian angel ever since he was regrettably born.

Moshiri is all but his Pinocchio.

We're fucked.

Let's put a shock into the footballing world and play Man Utd off the park! Their backline is almost as bad as ours and I think Maguire has about as many own-goals and cock-ups as our own Keane.

We can't play with fear or be scared about them or the occasion. Friggin' Man-Up, Blues… let's win this!!

If that's the case... we are gone.

Kenwright Out!

Yes 3 figures or events that we never recovered from: Hitler Heysel and Kenwright. We can rectify from one of those no matter what league we end up in. Just need a bit of momentum (and banners) to force this idiot naive owner to see the damage he entrusted his mate with. Kenwright Out and good riddance.

Our defenders are pretty awful and I'm afraid Lampard (or the pressure of our predicament) has made them even worse.

Yerry Mina has been an enormous loss, I think (our win ratios with and without him are staggering), so I really hope he can hit the ground running soon.

As for today, Man Utd are decidedly beatable but our players just look spent physically and emotionally. Allan's return may help but surely a midfield containing him and Delph would be too immobile.

If I'd seen any evidence of this defence being tight, I may have more faith but it's hard to imagine them not giving up at least a handful of excellent chances to United so I fear our only chance depends on them being rubbish rather than us being good. Hope springs eternal.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Branthwaite Mykolenko
Doucouré Allan Iwobi
Gordon Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Tricky to know who to play alongside Branthwaite out of Keane, Holgate and Godfrey. All have been calamitous this season; it may depend on how high a line Lampard wants to play but United are pretty decent on set-pieces and Keane is comfortably the best in the air.

The manager is looking for a change in attitude in those around him. All is not well in the Everton dressing room. But even the Everton players must realise that they need to get a result today.

They need to put the effort in, getting into position, tracking back, marking up, concentrating. The problems are really deep at Everton if they are that thick that they don't realise or aren't prepared to realise that.

I would interchange Keane and Branthwaite's positions. I don't think that Calvert-Lewin is putting in the work and effort, seems displaced from the tactics. I would play Rondon instead.

We really need him to score a few goals, both for our survival hopes and for his dwindling market valuation. Only Frank will know how hard he is training but his comments seem to indicate that he's still up for it (though he's unlikely to state otherwise).

Rondon could do a job but a sharp and committed DCL is the superior player; just a question of whether the latter will re-emerge.

A Turkish proverb that seems wholly fitting for our owner. We've been nothing like the best for far too long. Time to sell, sell Moshiri, and bye bye Bill.

As for today, as Lyndon says, just win, Everton, please.

I think, deep down, we all knew the decider was Wednesday's match.

For what it's worth, I'd love to see Begovic start from here on out. He could be a big player for us next year.

The reason I would play Rondon is to do more with shape. Calvert Lewin does not lead the line, hold up play for support or move into position on time. In the Burnley game the defender was first to the ball, always in front of Calvert Lewin. Calvert Lewin does not contribute to Everton keeping shape. Dyche did not say in his half time team talk' they do not know how to score' for nothing. He identified the above and was telling his defence push the defensive line up in support of midfield there is nothing to worry about. Lampards tactics where sunk on that firstly, then errors.

Such poor play has a knock on effect on the team, especially a team with other flaws.

We simply must chuck everything including the kitchen sink to get a win today. I've got a feeling we'll get there if the players each give it 150%. They've just got to want it more than Man U, and given our league position i'd hope that's a given.

Win today and I feel that'll give us the boost we need to take into the Leicester game.

Praying for a win and when Manu have one of their off games.

Man Utd have looked no better than West Ham lately and we did ok against the hammers away from home. So using that logic we can compete and go for it at Goodison.
The big questions are can we avoid making schoolboy mistakes? If not we are relegated. Can we take our chances? We have to be far more ruthless in front of goal and create more.

Team? Allan is back, Doucoure is on Ramadan, but the 12-30ko may be better for him?, Iwobi has been better lately, needs to add a bit more aggression.

With Allan and Delph back, Branthwaite, Iwobi and Mykolenko doing quite well it should be an interesting team selection, very tough to call it today.

Pickford
Coleman Kean Branthwaite Godfrey
Iwobi Allan Doucoure Delph Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin

I feel we are especially vulnerable on our right hand side, Coleman will be targeted, we need a special performance from him today and whoever is supporting him in the right Midfield slot.

Pickford
Holgate Keane Branthwaite Godfrey
Allan Delph
Gordon Dele Richie
DCL

….the fact none of us (including me) seem to know what our best system and first choice personnel is, is perhaps indicative of exactly why we are in this shit.

Please don't do this to us Everton.

My feeling is if we fall into the bottom 3 that's it, the physiological blow isn't something this group of players will recover from.

We've simply got to win today, which will also deflate Burnley after Wednesday. Lose today and Burnley will be given a massive boost for tomorrow.

--------------------Begovic--------------------
Godfrey--Keane--Branthwaite--Myko
----------------------Allan-----------------------
----------Doucoure---Gordon--------------
Gray--------------------------------------Richy
------------------Calvert-Lewin--------------

Come on lads, much still left to play for, we have it in our own hands... The players will need our full support! COYB!!

Arsenal has the longest consecutive run. We have played the most seasons.

"We have to keep on going. We have nine games to go and there's a maximum of 27 points that we can get. We're going to try and win every game, it's not easy, but we have to take it game by game.

“From what I see in training and spells in matches we know we have the quality, it's just remaining consistent. As players, we're not Championship players. We feel like we have enough quality to stay up. We just have to prove it to ourselves and prove it to the fans and we'll be alright, but it starts this Saturday.”

Appreciate it's 2 paras edited from a larger article and open to a bit of media interpretation, and it wouldn't look too good if he came out and said we're doomed.

We've managed so far...
13 points from the first 6 games, up to end of Sept
12 points from the last 23 games

So, Alex, appreciate that there are

27 points that we can get

They say our home form will save us

We've won 6 home games out of 14 played
only 3 since end of Sep
Won 1 away all season

Alex says 'we're not Championship players' and proving it starts 'this Saturday'

Ok better late than never.

However, 9 games left against tough opposition.

I will be surprised if we get enough points to stay up...

As has been mentioned a few times

...it's not a case of being too good to go down, we are too bad to stay up.

However, we'll probably beat Man Utd, Chelsea, Leicester and Brentford and all will be well. What was anyone worried about.

Let's save that for after the match. Right now, I'm focussing on getting a result today.

“In 1919 Arsenal became the first-ever football club to be promoted to the First Division on a basis that was unrelated to footballing performance.

In the 1914-1915 season Arsenal finished fifth in the Second Division. Then WWI broke out, which put footballing activities on hold.

Once they resumed in 1919 Henry Norris, the chairman of Arsenal at the time, proceeded to pull off one of the most controversial stunts in English Football history.

The First Division had decided that it would expend from 20 teams to 22 teams before the start of the 1919 season. Having already promoted the top two Second Division teams, the First Division now had two open spots.

The previous season had seen Chelsea and Tottenham sit in 19th and 20th, respectively, and both clubs were due to be relegated.

Provisions were made so that Chelsea were allowed to remain in the First Division, which left one spot to be fulfilled. It is at this point that Sir Henry Norris maneuvers his club into one of the most unlikely positions of all time.

While at the Football League's Annual General Meeting, Norris argued that Arsenal deserved to be promoted because of their contribution to footballing history.

Arsenal was the first league club located in the South. His speech was enough to influence the audience. Arsenal won promotion to the First Division by 10 votes.

Despite being promoted in suspicious circumstances, Arsenal is the only club to have remained in the top division of English Football since the sport resumed after the end of the first world war.”

I've read more cynical accounts, less impressed by the man's oratory, that suggest brown envelopes were involved..
I'm sure, if the old fraud was still alive, he'd have been 100% behind the European Super League.

If memory serves, Bradford were the other team to lose out as the Arses leap frogged into Division One.

I go to the game today with my 2 Sons and my Grandson all hoping that somehow we get something from the game, if somehow we could get a win that would definitely instil some much needed confidence. How we can be in this position having spent best part of £500 million is unbelievable.

27 points, 9 games, then next presser, 24 points and 8 games, then 21 points and 7 games, then 18 points in 6 games, etc etc, etc.

Let's see them come out and win this game before any more chat about games and points. It's driving me mad.

Worst managed club Svein, not team.

It's a badly assembled team but I've become increasingly of the opinion so many managers and coaches can't be wrong. The root cause is elsewhere and most of us know where.

Anyway, let's get this one done.

...and that's why it's Everton that are really number one. By more measures than one.

Danny @ 82;

I'm not sure but I think John may mean, the longest run in the league without finishing in the top three.

No matter how well we play, you just know we are going to drop a bollock and gift them a goal.

I can see us putting a performance in, but that niggling doubt in the back of my mind of making mistakes under no pressure is going to bite us on our backside yet again.

Really hope I am wrong but let's see the team news first.
.

Not sustainable

We get what we deserve.