Familiar Away-Day Blues for Blunt Everton

We need to do what we have to do to get Gueye signed up because he is the player who will steady things in midfield and get us ticking over.

We obviously need a forward brought in before the next game.

And most of all we need to ditch the ludicrous back 3 that has never worked for us and install a back 4 with a 5 man midfield with Gordon and McNeil on the flanks.

Make us hard to beat, Frank, and stop being stupid; otherwise, you will go exactly the same way as Mike Walker.

Got to be quick. Last minute of the window will be too late.

Easy to say with hindsight, of course, but if Lampard had been brave and put Onana on instead of Davies, it may have been a different outcome.

Neither did he have his head down nor play safe. He actually played the exact opposite with a complete disregard of the little time left on the clock! That grit and determination alone put him heads & shoulders over Doucouré, Davies, Allan, Gomes and Gbamin.

Can't wait to see his partnership with Iwobi in the middle against Forest!

In my opinion, we could have at least 2 points on the board now but for the lack of a striker and a classy defensive midfielder.

Frank may well end up like Silva. Silva wanted a centre-back, He never got one. Frank needs a centre-forward now. Not in 3 weeks but now. He needs that defensive midfielder too. Both need to come in by Wednesday so they meet their team mates, train and settle in and play against Forest.

Please don't give us Adams, Barkley and Winks because that will be taking the proverbial.

Lampard has well and truly nailed his colours to the mast with a back 5. That will be his formation for the rest of the season.

I hate it, even when you have the ‘right' players, but when you don't, it's surely doomed to fail.

The three centre-backs never seem to know where their jurisdiction ends and the full-backs' begins. It's a shaky defensive system and robs the team of another midfielder, thereby hindering the attack.

Does any team do it well?

Haven't seen enough of Patterson to judge just yet, but Mykolenko is never going to be the type of marauding wingback required.

I think we desperately need to go back to the 4-5-1 employed by Moyes. I really want to support Frank but I feel he's barking up the wrong tree.

That's the way Frank has the team set up. The training ground routine is set up to reflect the matchday's approach. Rather than be a defensive formation, it is set up with an emphasis to support midfield.

I predicted the only change for the Villa game would be Coady for Mina and only change for the next game will be Davies to start if Doucoure is injured. If Gueye, is signed he will be in instead of Davies. Throughout the relegation battle, Frank stuck with the same tactics.

There are two problems with it. Loss of possession going forward, mainly due to no holding forward. When Everton are pressed, it naturally pushes them back to a back five and, with no defending midfielder, they are exposed and errors occur.

As Jack #7 says, Everton needs a defending midfielder and a centre-forward by next Wednesday. If they get Gueye, it may be okay, but I am not sure of any of the centre-forwards that Everton are supposed to be chasing.

It was gross negligence to be depending on Calvert-Lewin and Rondon before the Premier League fixtures started.

I agree with those who would give Vinagre a go instead of Mykolenko.

Patterson looks to me as though he's going to be a very serious asset over time.

"The only change for the next game will by Davies to start it Doucoure is injured."

I'd be really surprised if Davies starts ahead of Onana in the next game. I'd be surprised if a fit Doucouré started ahead of Onana.

The idea that a front three of McNeil, Gray and Gordon will ever produce goals or end product is mental. Three punchless players that have some decent attributes but none can deliver even remotely the amount of goals we require.

I don't want to criticize Frank but I'm worried that he's been here since January and we have taken a mere 4 points away from home, the performance levels have been atrocious mostly.

He needs to quickly come up with something that makes us more resilient away from home but, more than anything, we need some damn goals in this team ASAP. We can't afford to allow yet another week to pass with no moves for a striker.

I still believe we need two strikers because Calvert-Lewin is so unreliable now and has been for 12 months due to injury, it's not about him getting fit in October, it's a matter of: Can he even stay fit now?

For most part, the three at the back looked comfortable yesterday, particularly Holgate who seems to have started the season well.

The real problems are obvious, as usual our two-man midfield were over run, although Iwobi once again played well and, in fairness, Davies was okay.

In attack, our three wide players cannot function without a target man.

So we need reinforcements, that much is obvious, but Frank and Co are still setting the team up and, with the current players, this system is not working.

I've just read the argument between Gary Neville and Jamie Rednapp on the Echo website, about the problems at Manchester United and it could have easily taken place on this very website.

Everton are undercooked for a season once again, and, for a lot of people this is just acceptable, and possibly because it's been this way forever? But to others, it's why the mighty have fallen, and until Lampard or another manager, are given time, to get rid of the shite that are draining the finances, and given more time, to bring a bit of footballing stability back into the club, then things are not going to change.

Does Lampard look like a tactician? Not really, but we do look a bit more organized defensively.

Did Lampard come into a football club that have been mismanaged that disastrously forever, that they only survived relegation by the skin of their teeth, and the passion on the sidelines? Definitely.

Has Lampard made a connection between himself and the fans? I'd say definitely, and for a club like Everton, with such passionate fans, then I personally think this is massive.

Let's face it, the only thing still massive about Everton Football Club is the fans, and until we get proper people running our football club, nothing is going to change, imo.

On that second goal, having watched it back and being hyper-critical, the centre-backs were way too close together, both looking at the ball. This left the eventual scorer in acres of space for a tap in.

Great strength and driving run from Onana for the response. Let's see more of him.

Just listened to Gerrard. Openly states it was about getting at Everton's back 3 and exploiting the channels. That was obvious from the start.

Take heed, Frank. If it wasn't obvious, you've been figured out by a fellow rookie. Ditch the 3 unless you've got a midfield in front of them that can protect that system and get us on the front foot.

Villa pulled Holgate out of position by keeping the ball just before halftime yesterday, in a carbon copy move of the one that got Chelsea a penalty last week. I just wonder if Mykolenko might just be a lot more aware defensively. But this will only be effective if Coady or Tarkowski can play on the right side of the last man?

We sat there and sold our most effective attacking player and then bigged up Anthony Gordon, payrise, new number and then straight away the expectations were going to be higher on him. This despite him scoring just 4 goals last season and still looking a long way off the finished article.

Fans were meant to be appeased by that move from the club – new Number 10 Wonder Boy move, etc. But it's been burying our heads in the sand as always.

There was a lack of goals last season and the likes of Gordon and Gray were one of the contributing factors in this lack of threat – not the sole cause but they were not offering the solution.

The club buried it's head in the sand and put all the eggs in the "Let's hope Dominic Calvert-Lewin will stay fit" basket.

Where was the planning for the fact that, for 18 months, Calvert-Lewin has been injury-prone? I even started towards the end of Ancelotti's time here.

We are left with Rondon as our only option, a free signing from the Rafa Benitez era... Deary me, you couldn't make this up.

Imo, which maybe wrong, though any pronouncements from trainers say I am journey, Frank's and his sidekick's selection reflects what has been repeatedly practised in training and the players who have hit the required level and having consistently trained. So Doucoure is ahead of Davis and they both are ahead of Onana. As for Gueye he would come straight in because he is made for the tactics that Frank will play. Any other changes will be on a similar bases.

I also think that Frank wanted to play like City, Chelsea and Liverpool in not having a Centre Forward, like a Centre Forward per sa. So Calvert Lewin and Rondon( What was Rondon's contract terms ) where considered enough. They where even prepared to take a chance on Calvert Lewin getting injured. Calvert Lewin may have been considered a false Number 9.

Frank has not Learn't, what Ancelotti found out that most Everton players do not have the technical ability( Quality) to play open style football. With Everton you get players prone to errors, caught in possession and poor pass completion, which you just can't have in such a system.

I don’t like the system because it isolates the wingbacks, especially when they haven’t got a centre forward to hit, but if he brings in the players he wants, I also feel that Lampard is the first Everton manager to at least have a plan for years, so I’m not going to be giving up on the man.

It’s got that bad, I think I’d sooner give up on the club, or at least until they have a better strategic review, although it has been said that even Bill can’t understand why Lampard and Thelwell haven’t signed a centre forward.

Why do we always start matches poorly? We always seem to be on the back foot. Late improvements mean very little when the game is already gone.

Games are most often won or lost when those initial battles for midfield supremacy have been settled. To this end, I think that it is clear again that Gana and Onana have to be in the engine room. We need both to impose ourselves on games; without them, we are the supplicant.

Then the ‘blunt knife' syndrome. How teams must love playing Everton because there is no real threat up front. Dele Alli is the only player with a scoring pedigree, albeit in the past, but he is benched in favour of Gordon playing out of position. Gray has been disappointing and needs to deliver more end product, more frequently. McNeil ditto.

These players are really only providers , McNell's history is a two-goals a-season player, Gray's is better at four goals a season. Expecting them to score enough goals to win games is almost delusional. I don't know what Frank is thinking with this three goal-shy wingers up front idea.

Gordon I have the confidence he will improve back in his more natural position, attacking and providing from the right. He needs the central striker to attract defenders whilst he deals with his full-back one on one.

Until we get Gana or alternative and Broja or one of the quality alternatives in, expect more of the same.

You would have thought that, after last season's atrocities away, he would have learnt... but no! Carry on and the result is the same results – just wake up, for fuck's sake!

Mercenaries no doubt, but surely we could look at getting Costa, Cavani to go with say Broja on loan?

Short term yes, one season yes, but that's where the club is at right now.

As much as I like Gordon, he's far from the finished article. Poor goal return, decision-making could be a lot better, but still, to his credit, he's learning all the time, and he most definitely isn't a striker or a false 9 (what?).

I mean 2 of his 4 goals last season were massive deflections, but if you don't buy a ticket etc.

Get him back playing in his natural position and he'll flourish as the season goes on. Until then, let's not be too harsh on the kid or openly criticise him. Early days yet... isn't it.

Yes, getting caught out is not good in any system. But in Frank's system, players are more exposed.

Whilst Gordon is good at pressing, he is out of position. Gray and McNeil are questionable. Add to that no holding centre-forward and the ball can be turned over fast. The opposition defence can play a higher line. The tendency of the Everton centre-backs to be deeper than they should doesn't help either. All it takes is one to be deep.

I too would like to see it all work out, but a good defensive midfielder is needed and a good centre-forward. If a really good one arrives, it might be a good thing Calvert-Lewin is out. He underwhelms at best.

You would think in this new football world where stats seem to be everything, someone would look at the results we have had when playing the back 3 system.

And why does Lampard change to a back 4 during a game to try and get out of the mess the back 3 created? It is a ridiculous system that hardly ever works.

We will get beat by Forest and over the next few weeks the defence will get worse and worse, just like last season.

Unless, like you say, Mick, Lampard wakes up.

Once we get the midfield enforcer to play alongside Onana and a natural goal-scoring forward, we will be just fine.

Right now, we are a jigsaw puzzle missing 3 or 4 pieces. I like what I see so far. More fight, more energy, more spirit than last season. Give the man time to get his players and formation sorted.

Everyone knows how to play us. As soon as our gormless players cough-up possession, we are hit with balls over the top or down the channels, catching our wingbacks out of position.

Frank has been tactically naive for his whole tenure. He also has been far too slow with his subs. How Gray starts a game is beyond me. He is never ready to play a one-two, always getting caught taking an extra touch.

Gordon will get better but he ain't a centre-forward.
If we can get a decent forward in, then we can judge Frank. Now is too soon, but I wonder just what they decided their prioreties were?

What idiocy to loan out three young lads with just Calvert-Lewin and Rondon. Now, the Forest game is looking rather important.

Being on the back foot sums it up. Defensive players deep, allowing forwards time and space. Midfield receiving the ball and then giving it away, and forward players doing the same. What are they being told to do? Are they unsure what to do? Something is getting lost in translation.

It might be a good idea to put in a late loan offer for Van de Beek and Ronaldo.

Being on the back foot sums it up.Defensive players deep allowing forwards time and space.Midfield receiving the ball and then giving it away and forward players doing the same.What are they being told to do? Are they unsure what to do?Something is getting lost in translation.

It might be a good idea to put ina late loan offer for Van be beek and Ronaldo.

Being on the back foot sums it up.Defensive players deep allowing forwards time and space.Midfield receiving the ball and then giving it away and forward players doing the same.What are they being told to do? Are they unsure what to do?Something is getting lost in translation.

It might be a good idea to put in a late loan offer for Van be beek and Ronaldo.

I know I'll get slaughtered on here but I'd take it and throw £30M+ at Chelsea for Broja or Gallagher.
Problem solved.

Ronaldo wouldn't give Everton the laces off his boots let alone come here to play, so I'm guessing that was a jest.

Realistic signings would be players that wouldn't be immense but would at least offer some threat, Broja on loan, Che Adams (better than what we have used so far).

I know nothing at all of this Guirassy lad we are supposed to be in for but I worry that's another potshot on a Tosun or Niasse move.

Both suggestions where in jest. But I do have a similar feeling regarding Guirassy.

What relatively little I've seen of this Guirassy lad he reminds me more of Lukaku than Niasse or Tosun.

Whatever - whoever, we need to get a good target man in soon unless we can suddenly find the next Salah or Zola hidden somewhere at FF.

...and whoa - what a strike from Koulibaly just as I'm typing.

Pickford
Patterson Holgate Tarkowski Mykolenko
Iwobi Davies Coady Onana
Gordon Rondon

I saw Nottingham Forest play today, and I
must say they were very, very lucky to come away with 3 points. West Ham were far superior and how they did not score in that game is a wonder. Lampard needs his tactics to start working, I would hate for us to have to sack him this season. It would be an indication of another failed managerial appointment and Everton cannot afford that.

As for Ronaldo. He's stated he wants a Champs lge club. He wouldn't even look at us. Another sulking fucker when things don't go his own way. Thanks but no thanks.

The mess this football club was in before Frank came was not going to be fixed with one transfer window. The biggest problem is the sub-standard players on massive wages blocking the path for change.

I'm talking your Keane, Gomes, Gbamin and Rondon. I'm sure Frank would dispose of them tomorrow if it was viable to replace them.

They are going to cling on to them big contracts as long as possible because they know they are getting way over the odds for the level these players are at and they won't be getting them wages on their next contract.

It's another 12 months before we will have a team that Frank has ensembled and disposed of the dead wood then I believe we will see real progress.

I think he's started the season weary of the losses we had when he first took over. But he has to be brave. When we went to 4 at the back it just looked so much better balanced. We are just nullifying our assets of Gray and Gordon.

Next line up:

Pickford
Mykolenko
Tarkowski
Coady
Patterson
Gordon
Onana
Iwobi
Dele Alli
Gray
Rondon

Wingers on the wing; full-backs at full-back; and a focal point up front (even if it's Rondon).

I don't particularly like playing with wingbacks, but I do believe Lampard has got a vision for this team, and because it's very early days, I'm definitely prepared to give the man loads of time.

But otherwise, the squad looks in better shape, especially at the back and we now need at least 3 captains armbands to dish out. Previously, if Seamus wasn't playing, it was like a hot potato. And in reality, Seamus is more respected than a natural leader.

I think Onana is going to be the midfield presence we've been craving.

3 at the back is okay with me as long as you have the wing backs and midfield to support it. And 3-5-2 vice 3-4-3. The latter makes me feel really uncomfortable. Four in midfield in the modern game tends to leave you exposed. Especially if you're playing 3 at the back. Opinions obviously.

I too would be keen to see Mykolenko play on the left of a 3. I think his natural defensive instincts would lend themselves to that position.

And… of course, we need 2 new strikers pronto!

Anybody viewed the swear bomb handbags at 10 paces between Tuchel and Conte. Clearly, they both are masters of the English language. Now, how big a fine should this be? £1m each?? Disgraceful behaviour from 2 very wealthy men with zero class!

I agree with much of what you have written. I think we have some good balance at the back now that we have Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski and Mykolenko. We're looking better in the middle, too! But gut feel tells me we would have had 2, if not 4, points if we'd had a couple of decent strikers.

I was hoping we'd start again this season having sold both Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin, not because I don't rate them but more that I feel they were not suited to us building a team around, considering our monetary shortfalls.

It was right to let Richarlison go because he deserves the chance to play European competition. Calvert-Lewin – injuries recently and the risk of keeping him if we could have negotiated a good offer??? Feel the same with Yerri Mina as with Calvert-Lewin.

Let's hope we can secure the strikers that will fit.

Thanks for the positive posts. I concur with you. I can't believe the negativity on here, especially in the Michael K matchday report postings. Well, actually I can, as it is generally rampant. It's just two games. I see more positives in these two games than negatives.

Iwobi was class once again, and the central defense looks way more solid and confident. Patterson looks like he may become a gem. Onana looks like he can be a real handful. Dwight McNeil will prove to be a very good signing, and writing him off now is utterly ridiculous.

On the negative side, we do need a striker (or two) and maybe another midfielder. Gray for me, has shown very little since the opening few weeks of last season (I concur with Eddie D on this). I would bench him and play Dele. I don't see how that could be worse. Dele has more physical strength and will keep the ball better.

Guys, it's just two games! I think Lampard and the team will come good once we make a couple more signings and players bed in.