Premier League — Matchweek 13

Update on the manager everyone loves to hate: Marsch on the skids is now slagging his players:

"So I'm trying to figure out which guys can be counted on at the highest level right now".

There are some decent veteran players on that squad who will not take that well. Probably climbing the table with that, the odds for the sack table.

Dale, one of us Yanks would consider that good news, as he'd like Marsch to be the national team coach at the World Cup.

Mike. Let him go out in a blaze of glory tomorrow,

I didn't see that coming, Mike, but then I thought of Berhalter.

Brian,

If Leeds somehow manage to beat the RS tomorrow, then he certainly won't be sacked.

I've a feeling though that, in about 20 hours from now, Leeds will be looking for a new manager.

Dale,

I saw that too: "In 12 years as a player and 12 as a coach, I have never been on a run this bad. I hate losing."

Sounds a little entitled. Could it be he's never had this issue before as now he has reached his level of incompetence?

Paul Robinson, ex-Leeds goalie, nailed it:

“He seems to criticise other teams every week for breaking up play, slowing the game down and upsetting Leeds' rhythm.

“He moans about it every game and then he's surprised that the next opponents do the same thing!”

Welcome back Rob! I hope you're right, the talk is a bit much.

And Kieran, I think it is more of a bad fit. Dude just doesn't get the English demeanor if I may comment on such. Mike believes so I'll wait to condemn.

I think you're right, Dale.

That watch pointing still grates with me.

He may be a good coach but I don't think he's suited for the English game.

Rob. See you tomorrow for a pint, a hug and 3 points.

Dale & Danny,

I think he also has issues with physics.

"What if Luis (Sinisterra) scores at Brighton on the 2-inch line and it doesn't go wide? What if we score the penalty against Arsenal?"

First of all, there is no "2-inch line" unless he is talking Subbuteo. Secondly, 2 inches, so let's say the goal side of the ball at its center is directly above the 2-inch line, it's physically impossible to hit it wide there.

Even if the widest part of the ball was a millimetre within the inner goal post, at a distance of 2 inches when you struck the ball, it would hit the post as there isn't enough space for it to get around the goal post from 2 inches out.

So clearly this guy is a delusional fantasist emotionally immature psychopath.

Cheers, Dale. Feels like I've never been away.

I don't know if any of you had the lack of standards to listen to the old Jim Rome show on radio before he blew up on ESPN but one of the great lines they always used for that kind of talk was... 'Yeah, and if my aunt had a unit she'd be my uncle'.

Classic colonial sports talk on that show no doubt and the clubhouse stories of things you do to break a losing streak were embarrassingly entertaining.

Dale,

All I can say is, if we had the old institutional asylum system still, him and Klopp would be in straight jackets on account of insanity.

So Antonio Conte thinks it's almost impossible for the VAR to make mistakes, referring to the disallowed Spurs goal in the Champions League game midweek.

Did he think the same last season in what was his first game as Spurs manager when the VAR overturned our penalty against Spurs, or maybe even as recently as 2 weeks ago when the VAR decided Kane's dive was worthy of a penalty?

In my opinion, the VAR in its present focus is completely nuts.

If we have to endure it might make sense for the torso going forward to be the determining factor, not an arm-hair, toenail, eyebrow, Alice band or whatever.

In case those allegedly in charge of football need to be reminded, the whole point of the game from the point of view of almost everyone in the ground is to provide cutting-edge entertainment without minutes-long dreariness for the VAR checks.

It's the same in all sports. In cricket, it was only intended to correct egregious errors by the on-field umpire but has long been used to adjudge microscopic infractions. This week in the Rugby League World Cup a try encompassing near super-human talent was disallowed because the near super-human was deemed by the faceless muppet in charge of the camera to have maybe touched a blade of grass on the touchline.

It's bonkers – period.

The VAR: It's been said before – if you have to get the magnifying glass out for millimetres... or even 3 or 4 Inches – the attacking player gets the nod.

When it was being sold/foisted on us Clear and Obvious was supposed to go through the whole concept like a stick of rock.

The Stockley Park tail is now wagging the dog... which way it wags depends on net worth and shirt colour and other unwritten PL-inspired codicils.

And everyone is complicit, because although everyone hates feeling hard done by, this really doesn't seem to matter if your team gets a very unfavourable decision in their favour.

Should be a really good game today. 2-2. Great to see Rob Halligan out of the sin bin.

Anyone looking for a good laugh should check out the Leeds goal. Comical from our neighbours.

Leeds straight through one on one with goalie, tackled from behind - play on.

This is shocking and how these pricks get away with it is unbelievable

Fucking getin!

Wow!

Football is all about energy, so full credit to Leeds United, because they have played tonight with loads of infectious energy!

Tony, second half they've been right in the opposition faces. Full of running. I like the small lad who came on as sub.

Yes Tony, full of energy all night they've worked their socks off. Great athleticism from them, hard earned and well deserved. They've not been overawed at all, an great example for teams playing the RS.

Brent, Geronimo?

Well, who would have thunk?! All credit to Leeds.

Oh well. Nearly home and one point closer.

And that's how you do it, Everton. Take it to them. A defence that has diminshed beyond recognition.

Gnonto

Lucky you Danny. Probably another 2.5 hours for us.

I was only watching it with one eye Brent, but what a finale!

Bottom half of the League is tighter than a budgie's cloaca. 5 points between the RS in 9th and Leicester in 18th.

All in all, a fine weekend, for Everton !

UTFTs!

Tony #32 you should watch them with one eye every game.

My 18-year-old stepson has just come in now fuming, saying what a way to ruin my day, and this has definitely just increased my smile!

The kid has just had a great day, by the way, he's 18 and has just scored his first ever league goal today, direct from a corner, so hopefully his full debut, can't be far away, even though my youngest is saying he's already scored from two corners!

A rare occasion, but I'm actually agreeing with Alan Shearer for once. Very interesting point on temporary substitutions to allow an assessment of an injury.

That very ugly looking, but accidental, collision that took the Villa keeper out.

Sorry, just watching back and catching up. What 2 great goals in the Brentford v Wolves. The technique from the Brentford player and then a beauty from Neves.

Oh, and I know we can get into trouble for mentioning them but I think we're allowed to here, but Klopp doing his Jack Nicholson impression. I thought he was going to implode. If this carries on, the meltdown is coming.

Costa up to his old tricks. At least he doesn't bite!

Did not take Arsenal long to put Forest to the sword after half time: 2 goals in 7 min after half time to put them 3-up.

Forest looking like being the obvious and initial sacrificial lamb.

Arsenal dark horse challengers if Man City somehow slip up. If they can maintain it.

Gareth Southgate at Old Trafford, taking his final look at Maguire before finally deciding to bin him for the World Cup.

Maguire was caught upfield and was lumbering back in a vain attempt to catch the West Ham attackers. Nothing came of it but, my god, he was so slow trying to get back. If Southgate picks him for the England starting XI, then we're doomed.

Bit of magic there from Eriksen, not much room but the control and cross from that tight space was absolutely first class. Rashford did it justice.

Eriksen one of the few Premier League midfielders players who can approach the genius of De Brunye.

I just hope Southgate wasn't at Fulham yesterday watching Tarkowski and Coady. I don't want them playing for him.

Partly because I want them rested and unhurt after the World Cup, and partly because having Maguire in the center improves the USA chances against England.

Did Moyes ever throw the "not winning against Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea away in the league" monkey off his back?

Kevin. He embraces a glass ceiling. No time for the fella and what he helped turn us into.

Man Utd, 3 mins injury time if they're winning, 6 if they're losing.

I absolutely hate seeing Man Utd win anything ever, but at least that keeps Hammers below us in the table.

Me neither, Brian, I was just curious as it was a record any top manager should be embarrassed by.

Rob 41, do you really care about England's performance at the World Cup?

The coverage, the commentary, the sheer love — you'd think Man Utd just won the treble. They just about beat West Ham.

Danny # 49, no not really, I'm not a big fan of England. When I say “We're doomed”, it's purely from an English perspective. I don't think we've (or England) got a chance anyway.

Will, if it weren't for De Gea again, West Ham would have won comfortably.

Mike #43.

Brilliant as Tarkowski and Coady have been, I wouldn't be taking them to the World Cup if I were Southgate. I would be using Stones, Dier, Tomori, White, Maguire and Smalling.

De Gea saved them for sure, Rob, had a great game. If he carries on improving he may one day reach Pickford's level...

Will, these aren't commentators/pundits, they're fans first and foremost.

They don't even try and hide their bias towards their favourites.

Colin, true. The pros of the past could hide their loyalties a lot better.

Cloughie said punditry would kill the game and he was right.

Frank seems convinced that the VAR once again looked the other way last night.

Van Dijk, Joelinton, Mitrovic – probably should've all received reds this season, and I am sure there are others. Zaha was fortunate not to see two yellows as well.

Slightly off-topic but can anyone enlighten me as to what happened re Barkley & Sigurdsson, ie, are they playing still?

I'd have loved to have seen Clough with some of these present phoney bastards that regularly give us their contradictory biased opinions.

The pundits don't help, Colin, but I think that it's just television itself and the over-saturation, meaning a lot of televised games are very boring, hence the definite need to court controversy, maybe?

Paul @59,

After leaving Chelsea, Ross Barkley joined Nice in France and has been getting games for them in Ligue 1.

And it seems Gylfi Sigurdsson's situation hasn't changed but we can't discuss it. There was a rumour that he would go to play in Turkey after his contract ended and Everton released him in the summer but there was never any confirmation of that. Transfermarkt say he is 'Without Club'.

Kevin @48,

The Sunday Telegraph ran an article today about Moyes's career-long failure to win away matches against the so-called Big 6 which included a table of all his results.

During his time with us,he did register wins at Man City and Spurs but of course in those days it was the so-called Big 4, his abysmal track record against them being 27 defeats and 17 draws.

Moyes had (still has) his limitations admittedly, as his record illustrates, but with the boardroom he had with us, he was always operating under football's version of "crapaudine" before he even started.

After spaffing 𧼐mill up against the wall, Moshiri, whether he knows it or not, has now imposed upon Frank and Kevin, and us, again, total "crapaudine".

(OK, I'll spare you the trouble - "Crapaudine – A form of torture in which the hands and feet are tied together behind the back, forcing the victim's body to excruciatingly arch, suspension from a rope sometimes being used to inflict additional agony.)

It was very popular in the 19th century French Foreign Legion, on its own men.

Sensible people got rid of its perpetrators a hundred years ago though.

Maybe without crapaudine we would have ended up like Joan of Arc, Don?

The lesser of two evils, Moyes and Kenwright turned us around, gave us our pride back, restored our faith, but there was obviously a massive price to pay.

Getting older and looking back, I genuinely can't believe how Kenwright has lasted so long. He's played the king, and his slip of the tongue told us about his good times.

I watched that one with interest yesterday.

What a scrappy game. Both teams seemed intent on giving the ball away to the other team.

Outstanding goal though. Made and crafted by Eriksen. His initial pass, continued movement to receive the return, lovely touch to compose and then a peach of a cross for Rashford to score a thunderous old-school centre-forward headed goal.

De Gea made some good saves but, apart from that, I didn't watch 2 teams that we should fear. Well, we've already beaten one of them and the other didn't exactly batter us.

Harry Maguire. My word. An expensive Michael Keane. In fact, in that sense, we got a bargain. My very selfish worry is that Gareth Southgate might have noticed and he has also watched Everton recently.

I wouldn't deny any player the honour and privilege of representing their country on the highest stage, not that I have a choice. But I hope Southgate sticks with his click of Maguire, Mings, Stones and whoever else.

Declan Rice. Now there is a player that has really grown on me. I didn't understand the hype about him to start with, but I see a real midfield enforcer now. I wonder if he will remain at West Ham come January or certainly next season. I think he'll stay in London though.

Considering the teams playing; one vying for Champions League, the other knocking on the glass ceiling, I don't see why we can't challenge to be honest. But most know that I live with the fairies when it comes to Everton.

Don, that's deep for a Monday morning, but I like it!

Tony, that's sort of how I feel looking back. I always thought Moyes stayed too long or maybe we should have been bolder and moved on sooner ourselves? Clubs like Man City and Chelsea certainly didn't hang around. And although results at the time were convenient, Liverpool didn't hesitate when they knew Klopp was available and willing.

Kenwright took us on when no-one would touch us. Maybe for his own intent. But he has stayed for way too long against a backdrop of failure. And remains in situ, seemingly regardless.

Hindsight gives you the bigger picture. There is no way a Chairman or Manager would remain in any business I know after years of underachievement. Let alone decades or 11 years.

I guess that came down to the marriage of convenience between the two of them and us fools accepting the mediocrity we were being drip-fed.

Hopefully now we have a serial winner at the wheel and, with football people making football decisions, we can finally drive this ship forward.

What happened to the 27 Years Campaign? I guess most have turned their attentions to supporting the team now that the season is in full flow?

27/35

Danny,

The 27 Years Campaign are a bit like Blue Union, they decided to accept mediocrity like the rest.

Maybe they realised as fans they didn't have the ability to do anything about this dreadful mediocrity, never mind understand what it is in terms of a Premier League club with limited resources.

You're wrong of course, Martin.

The fans have the ability to make or break any employee at the club. All they would need to do is withdraw their support for a few weeks and Kenwright's next ticket to London would be a single.

They won't do it of course, because it will damage their club. Maybe irreparably. Their love for the club is so great, it even outweighs their disgust of the way it's been run. Think of It as a Meatloaf song. They would do anything for love, but they won't do that.

It's a situation Kenwright is aware of. He has exploited it for years.

Dave 68.

You are right about the fans. when we were having a planned walkout to get rid of Kenwright. I could not bring myself to leave my seat. and like you said, the board are aware of that.

We have the luckiest boardroom to have fans like us and take us for granted. Unlike Lampard who has absolutely taken to the fans.

Sitting on my flight to Frankfurt (Monday afternoon).

Quite a few sporting Liverpool gear... Should I ask them if they have been to the game?

They probably went to Anfield on Saturday night, Phil, and it wouldn't surprise me if at least 15% of Liverpool's home crowd travelled into the city by aeroplane, mate.

Dave @68.

In a real business or ideal world, he would be gone like a bat out of hell.

Get your point about the fans. Totally torn about not upsetting the apple cart and just supporting the club, at least until we are safe and stable.

After that, we need a big Stewards' Enquiry – not this "internal review" bullshit.

Thanks for the chuckle, Tony. I haven't seen the word "aeroplane" since the Red Hot Chili Peppers!

Phil @ 70, landed today after a flight from Singapore to London.

Bloke sat next to me was wearing a Liverpool trackie top. He was from Bournemouth!

Seeing as we're on about flights with RS on it.

About 10 to 12 years ago, me and the missus flew from Liverpool airport to Oslo on a Monday morning, as we were going to Norway to see the Northern Lights. Can't remember who we played, but I do remember the RS were at home, pretty certain it was Blackpool and Blackpool won.

The flight was full of RS all in their gear, and I spent the next 90 minutes or so pissing myself laughing at them. There was loads sitting at the front so I kept on getting up to go to the toilet at the front to take the piss out of them. The missus wasn't too pleased by my antics but I loved it!!

Don't trigger me. I have to sit amongst the cockney Reds and Man Utd fans most days.

And you can all label me as the Evertonian who does the opposite and travels from London to watch Everton.

But they do wind me up. At least I have knowledge of my team, unlike many of them.

Okay, I'm triggered!!

Under The Bridge, Mike, I think I might go and play that song, now you've just mentioned the Chilli Peppers, mate. 👍

Rob, you are me in disguise. I get into trouble all the time when I meet kopites in London or abroad. Even in my local. I'm admittedly shocking and getting worse as I get older.

Tony, you just made me think of Garston under the bridge as it was or is referred to, so I'm going nostalgic now. My Auntie Marie lived there and my Dad's first school was there. Ironically Holy Trinity Catholic Primary. He later went to Blessed John Almonds, which became St John Almonds. I have no idea what it's called nowadays.

Anyway, that's irrelevant, so back on track. I don't mind talking to my red cousins and friends, but I despair when I bump into that lot's tourist attraction faction. They wind me up and I consider myself a reasonable person. I frequently get told to grow up and reminded that it isn't 1985.

Sin bin for me.

I try not to go into Liverpool city centre when they are at home, as all you see are loads walking round town with their brand new scarfs and tops, just bought from the souvenir shop. Drives me mad, my wife knows not to ask me to go to town when they are at home.

I have mates who watched them in the old 2nd division, and they always give an honest opinion… but these tourist supporters – I just can't stand them.

Do the Garston mud-men live under the bridge, Danny?

I thought of Broadway, walking under the bridge to get the 14, but I'd much sooner be getting on an aeroplane, mate!

Brian # 79.

They truly are "The Tourists Club".

There's been a lot of talk and excitement recently about Liverpool being awarded the Eurovision Song Contest, yet this should not be the case, because every other week thousands of foreign tourists pour into Liverpool, head towards Anfield and sing shit songs.

Sounds very like the Eurovision Song Contest!!

Last one to leave Oslo turn the lights out. Embarrassing fans in every way

My Grandad's wife used to take me to Norris Green Broadway, Tony. I actually passed my driving test around Norris Green.

I know this is random, but another "under the bridge" Garston tale. My parental Grandfather was once given responsibility and money to take me for a hair cut, Johnny O'Neill. He took me to his mate's who lived under the bridge who honestly put a bowl around my head and gave me a trim with his kitchen scissors.

He then took me to a pub around Banks Road. I was only about 6 so I don't know where, but I got to sit outside with a bottle of pop and a bag of crisps. It was the '70s so I didn't think I looked out of place at the time and was quite happy.

My mother was horrified and so angry when we got home. There was an almighty kick-off as apparently I looked terrible.

I went for another hair cut the next day. This time in Hunts Cross.

Sorry for the non-footballing story.

David #81 - brilliant.

And yes, I did have a good internal snigger. I just wanted to ask "Was it worth it?"

Great articles in the press how this is like Klipperty's last season at Dortmund and how he walked away and they nearly got relegated – oh please!

They were flirting with relegation in the build-up to the winter break, Phil. Turned it around in the "Ruckrunde" and eventually finished 7th, but he did have a bit of a meltdown and left.

All that know me know my following of Schalke – the Royal Blues. Their derby rivals, Dortmund, sing that song and have now cemented that connection with Klopp. I have doppel rivalry.

Here's hoping for the meltdown.

I don't know if it's my browser, but when I done a search for Dortmund Klopp, the word 'teeth' came up alongside??

Kudus assisted for the first and scores the second against Rangers tonight. We came really close to getting him and he could be making a real difference to our attack this season.

He will be big money now. Still, a sign our scouting is improving, I'd never heard of him before we were interested.

Tony,

We were very strongly linked to Kudus when he was still playing in Denmark – the season before he ended up joining Ajax. Probably with Silva and Brands at the helm.

He's kicked on a bit this season after erratic form and injury. Shame we missed out.

Always other options though and needn't cost a fortune.

I was hopeful we would get Kudus and, depending on believing rumours, he was keen to join.

Maybe we can still do something in January. My fear now is not just the fee, but that Ten Hag at Man Utd may have his eyes on him and has obvious links and therefore maybe influence.

Just reading about Rangers' unwanted new "accolade". Minus 20 goal difference in a 4 team Group competition. That takes some doing!!

Just read a piece that's on the BBC website and it's highlighting the changes that Ancelotti is making at Real Madrid that has largely gone unnoticed.

He has reduced the average age of the team considerably with players like Vinicius 22, Tchouamani 21 and Camavinga 19 and has moved out some of the older players bringing in 𧵱 million. He has made the changes without hurting the success of the team.

Probably his biggest achievement is in Valverde, his goal record was poor and before the start of this season Ancelotti said, if he couldn't get Valverde to score 10 goals, he would pack up management; so far Valverde has scored 7 goals.

I don't know what was the turning point in Ancelotti leaving, whether it was the break-in at his home when his daughter was in the house, or whether he found out his net spend for the following season was next to nothing.

But I think we lost someone who could and would have turned this club around. I just hope that having played under the most successful manager in Europe that Frank learned a lot and will soon have us climbing up the table.

Danny, We used to call it a short back and bring your own basin haircut. Even had a place called the trainees by the crown in nogsy we got free haircuts.

Just one Spanish team into the last 16 of the Champions League. When was the last time that happened?

Juventus, Barcelona and Athletic Madrid founders of the ESL not looking so super. But four German teams and two Portuguese, and Belgian progress none of which were in the proposed ESL.

And of course founders Man Utd and Arsenal didn't even get into the Champions League this year.

Just to let you all know, the RS will play Porto or Benfica in the first knockout stage of the CL.

Second leg at Mordor Rob. Coaches bricked etc etc. Wasn't our fault. Get to the final. Istanbul. Pinch tickets off kids. Pissing in fountains. Blame the foreign bizzies.

They're only 8/1 to win it. Hardly worth the hedge.

Let's make this a good weekend for Everton, beat Leicester, and prepare in good shape for the Bournemouth games, prior to the World Cup.

Everton hopefully will be not impacted by England call-ups but, if so, come back unscathed..

Seriously all in, the horizon is looking better each week, but there's a long way, and much toil, and no doubt anguish to go. But Everton are ongoing in the right direction, and fair play to Frank and his team for instigating a mindset change in the Everton playing ranks.

Feck, the RS, and UTFTs!

“What's Our Name?”

Fortunately, Nick, they will be at home in the first leg, but will go on the riot in Porto or Lisbon in the second leg.

They can only play one of Porto, Benfica, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the last 16, and we all know it won't be Madrid or Munich. As they came second in their group ,they play the first leg at home.

Brian @9,

I never understood why Ancelotti was thought of so poorly by many here, he was and still is, a world class manager. Yet he was castigated by some for being past it, or only being able to win with established teams... in fact, you name it and it was used to tar and feather the man.

Players were attracted to the club, our profile worldwide was high, but Real Madrid is a top club, we aren't. It was a coup to get him, but we couldn't hold on...

Christine,

Totally agree with you. I was constantly arguing with Darren H over him. He could have been the true messiah but, when we got a Rolls Royce, the board decided not to spend money on it and didn't give it the love, affection and care it needed.

Jay Harris

Darren H? Also known as David Cashen? Amazing how the “new guy” immediately homed in on Don Alexander, myself and Danny O'Neill with the same rhetoric the old whiskey-drinking forklift driver used to spurn.

Jay, exactly right, must be like buying a Rolls from Arthur Daley, sign up for it and find it has a Morris 1100 engine..

Nick and Rob, thanks for your words on our cousins. Had me laughing out loud.

Christine, totally agree on Ancelotti. We had a top manager that some resented for some reason.

We didn't hold on for a number of factors in my opinion. Possibly the house incident played a part, but I don't know that, and being Italian and having lived in Spain, I assume he knows that can happen anywhere unfortunately.

I just think it was simply a combination of Real Madrid came knocking and realising he was going to be given what we realised was a less than ٠M transfer budget as well as having to offload players. Yes, some say he's only good at managing good players, but he's given those good players to manage. And when he gets them, he is successful. I see they absolutely battered Celtic last night. Not a good week for the Scottish League teams.

I won't use the Rolls-Royce, but if you buy a Mercedes Benz, firstly it's more expensive; you pay more for it. Then the servicing and maintenance costs are higher to keep it running than a Peugeot. But it sustains longer.

I have a Peugeot by the way!!

Get in, Paul Birmingham, that's the spirit. Blue boys on the rise.

Meanwhile, for the cost of my TV licence, the BBC Breakfast "News" experts are trying to teach me about the complexities of how fishes eyes work and how to dispose of pumpkins so we don't harm hedgehogs. I am definitely getting old and grumpy.

Keiran Kinsella.

Last time I looked at my passport and drivers licence, I was Dave Cashen. My emails, both private and work have backed that up this morning. I have not been called 'David' since my mother passed away 20 years ago. I wouldn't know the front end of a fork-lift truck from the back but, unlike vou, I see it as an honest and noble way of earning a iiving.

I did not "home in" on Don. He had a go at myself and Mike Gaynes for discussing Townsend. Both myself and Mike replied to him.

You have however explained your bizarre outburst to me the other day when I refuted an attack on Gordon from somebody else. You are the one who told me a story had to be true because it was in The Sun. Until then, I hadn't really noticed you.

I came on here to discuss Everton, not "home in" on people, if I have any agreements or disagreements with Danny, it is probably because he is one of the few who shows any interest in what I have got say and often responds to my posts.

I'm not a "new guy" – I've supported this club all my life, but I'll leave you to enjoy the security of what you clearly see as a cosy little clique.

I'm not sure if anyone else has seen this heartwarming story on the BBC, but I'd like to wish David Unsworth a big congratulations on becoming a father again.

Birth of rare white rhino

Christine @96,

I think the reason some supporters didn't like Ancelotti was because he was forced to use what he had and couldn't play the expansive game we all crave. I would have loved to have had Ancelotti at the start of the Usmanov & Moshiri era. The players he could have attracted given the money he would have had to spend.

To think, because of Covid, we didn't get to see James live; his quality was there for all to see. Ancelotti had a far worse group of players than we have now but he made them competitive, let's not forget he still had Mina and Keane as his centre-backs and still managed to keep clean sheets.

Ancelotti is a class act and as he is showing at Real Madrid he still knows how to produce a winning team. There is no manager in the game not even Guardiola who can match Ancelotti for Champions league wins, and that means beating the very best teams. Just like last season when they beat Man City, PSG and our neighbours.

I know some said rather stupidly he could only manage good teams; he managed good teams because of his ability and, as he showed with us he even managed to get us into a top 4 spot for quite a few weeks, and with the group of players we had that was bordering on brilliance to do that.

As I said in my post earlier, something spooked him to leave, whether it was the break-in at his home, although I think it was more likely when he found out there would be no money to spend in the following season.

Let's not forget just a couple of weeks prior to leaving, his son and his first team coach had agreed to buy a house in the City. So I can only assume he felt that this team needed huge sums spending on it to make it competitive and the thought of having no money to spend was what made him leave.

Ancelotti got us to 59 points. Signing you-know-who put us in a hole the local supporters dragged us out of. Barely, on 39 points.

I'd say having Ancelotti made us better. The "Trophy-winning" manager who followed him was awful.

Off-topic, but with the World Cup around the corner, I want to recommend a limited series on Netflix called Captains.

Involves looking at various national teams during this last World Cup Qualifying thru the team captain's eyes:

Brazil
Croatia
Jamaica
Gabon
Lebanon
Vanuatu

Brian,

I think you may well be right, it was reported by Football Italia that Ancelotti made the call to the Real Madrid CEO as a general chat about players and "in passing" asked how the search for a replacement manager for Zidane and was told it was not going that well, upon which response he offered his services. The rest is history.

Ancelotti probably made the call with intent, which as you say, was because either personally or professionally Everton was not where he wanted to finish his career, he could see the writing on the wall. He has already announced his retirement after his contract ends with Real Madrid so I guess a swansong at the very top of world football beats us hands down. Shame though...

James Flynn - thanks for the tip, I'll be watching that one, much to my wife's disgust! I think the only time I'd heard of Vanuatu before was on ‘Pointless'.

And going even further off topic, the last (and only) time Jamaica made it to the World Cup Finals in 1998, the Reggae Boys were captained by Fitzroy Simpson. He's the cousin of a friend of mine called Sam Allison, who was also a tidy footballer, but is now progressing as a professional referee (whilst also still a fireman (yes Fireman Sam).

Beat that for “off-on-a-tangent-whilst-shamelessly-namedropping-someone-that-isn't-even-famous”… (I can think of a couple of regular TW'ers that will give it a go)!

Kieran 101, if you have intel spill it man. And why don't switchers get outed more often? UnScousian action if you ask me. And tell me who Thomas Richards is now if you can, I kind of miss that guy.

Dave (#104),

I've no gripe with you, Mike or anyone else now on TW. I suspect if we were to all meet up we'd mostly get along just fine. I'm even funnier face-to-face than I am in print, if you can believe that!

Boom-boom! :)

The problem with Carlo was all the criticisms of his arrival came true; moreover, you could see the portents of doom coming to fruition after the good start as it fell to pieces. Hardly surprising ongoing commentary from many reflected that fact.

I liked his charm; he was every inch a lounge lizard of a manager with a brass neck to match – something that would be an advantage at a top club with top egos to massage.

But his rocket-propelled escape from Goodison Park told the real story. The calamitous descent of the latter half of the season saw a man bereft of answers and his face carried the realisation that this was not the place for him.

The great thing is he didn't shilly-shally or talk bollocks – he just vanished overnight to land at a place more suitable.

Beating Liverpool in the Champions League mended many fences.

I'm with Don up on this. I have no problem with anyone on here. We all have different takes on the one thing that binds us.

I'll read all views with interest. Sometimes I laugh, other times shake my head. Often the opinions of others give me food for thought.

I'm sure my ramblings give people the same sentiments – well, hopefully some of them!!

I agree Don, if we met up, as I have done with a few people after initially talking on here, we'd all get on fine.

The January window passed without a decent move when he got that squad to second place sometime around the break. Maybe the break-in played in as well but that failure is what moved him to exercise the clause in his contract allowing him to leave.

For Moshiri to be fully informed that Zidane was on his way out of Real Madrid and not realize that clause was a gun to his head is truly baffling from a supposed seasoned businessman.

Dale (111), yes Thomas Richards.

I had a lot of fun and banter with him and his Italian waiter, I've got an inkling who he might be but I'm waiting ‘til he posts a couple more times!!

I know, Don.

I have no doubt at all that we would have a good laugh in the pub about the banter on here.