West London Calling

I agree that it was a number of players who performed superbly yesterday. I must disagree with you, however, in your assessment of Ben Godfrey – I think he is a terrible footballer, and his play is quite brainless most of the time.

Can you imagine us getting the equalising goal if it had been him instead of Mykolenko at left-back? Not in a million years. He almost always gives away the ball to the opposition whenever he has possession or when he takes a throw-in, which he is terrible at, and he treats the ball like a hot potato - something to be gotten rid of...

And the penalty was 100% Godfrey's mistake – he had a chance to hack it away for a corner, but for some reason, if you see the replay, he hesitated and that was enough for James to buy the penalty.

Mykolenko should be restored at left-back and Simms instead of Iwobi – that would be the next natural evolution of this team, in my opinion.

If I am a little puzzled and disappointed with Dyche's selections, it is that James Garner has not been used at all after getting fit. Hopefully, he starts getting some playing time; if he shows what he has in his locker, the player whose place in the starting XI would be under threat is Onana.

I agree with you about Ben Godfrey – he is still recovering form and fitness but I think he will do a Kevin Ratcliffe and mature into a top centre-back, hopefully alongside Branthwaite.

Like you, I am a positive guy and, if we can get three points or more from yesterday and our next two games, we will be set fair to dig our way out.

Simms was fantastic but just a mention for Gray who had two giants on his back all game, never gave up, and is starting to look at home down the middle.

Lastly well done to Sean – not a penny spent but the difference is incredible.

Keep the reports coming, Danny, and what about your player ratings?

I have sat behind you at Goodison Park and have seen how intently you watch the game. (I look everywhere when we are not attacking!!) So, for me, your views carry weight (second only to Dave Abrahams!!)

I love to hear about the matchday experience from you and Rob and Paul Traill, Neil and every other traveling Blue. Hope to catch up with you before the end of the season.

I manage to watch all our away matches via one stream or another, and so often feel distraught for those who have made such an effort to travel – they have been so poorly rewarded over the years.

It was fantastic yesterday to watch us grab a late goal, hear the celebrations, and know that people like yourself, Rob, John and others were in amongst it.

Good on you.

Our club was on its fucking knees a few weeks ago. Knowledgeable fans were looking around thinking “How can these spineless players keep us up?” I was getting used to walking along County Road after home games and listening to people all around me saying "There's nothing there, we are doomed."

Now, just over 6 weeks later, the pride is returning, the belief is returning, and a very proud fan base who thought they were on their way down have suddenly got a common sense manager giving both his players and the fans belief. When Evertonians celebrate like they did yesterday, it's because they have suddenly got something to celebrate.

The Traveling Blue Army with so many proud young kids who still believe that Everton are the greatest football club in the land are what makes us different to most. I just hope I'm still around for the explosion that awaits our next trophy!

I remember a local side who managed a two-all draw at home to West Brom a few seasons ago, being praised for the show of 'togetherness' between the team and the fans – funny old game footy isn't it?

I'm looking forward to more of these reports from you!

When Chelsea went 1-0 up the fans never stop believing and just got louder. The same happened at 2-1. The equaliser from Simms was brilliant and just reward for the support.

I overheard my daughter telling her boyfriend today that it was fantastic and everyone went absolutely mental at 1-1 and then some at 2-2.

It's really strange how you just get a feel about some games, this was one of them for me.

Me and the gang normally do London games by train, but nowadays we don't know if games are to be changed for TV, or as has been the case for the last few months, if there's going to be a rail strike on the day of the match? So really we have very little choice but to book coaches.

For the club coaches to leave at 10.45 yesterday morning was ridiculous, but it's the club who decide on the departure time, not the coach firm itself. As we passed Brentford's ground, it was half time as there were loads standing outside, I presume smoking etc, so it took us over a hour to travel about 5 miles?

How can someone within the club not envisage possible delays on motorways, or, as was the case yesterday, having to navigate through London traffic on a Saturday afternoon, beggers belief.

Hopefully Palace will be a 3pm kick-off on a Saturday afternoon, and there is no train strike, and we can definitely meet up somewhere. I know there are others, notably Neil Copeland and Mark Murphy, that you meet, so it would've good to finally see some of these lads.

See you at the Spurs game!

Beats the hell out of tuning into the radio at 12.45, 17.45 and 22.45 GMT for the result.

I agree that 10.45 is pushing it a bit given the London traffic.

It would be great to meet up at some point I agree, maybe before the Spurs game or Man Utd?

Tremendous support, and brilliant songs, and, joy to behest.

But the next game counts.

UTFTs!

I am pretty sure the Moose is a Bubble-blower – with a bit of luck, he may live to regret it.

I have only been there once (the FA Cup game where Heitinga assaulted Cole on his way to the spot). It was the only away game I've ever been to where I couldn't get into a local pub.

Danny, there was a guy near the front of the away section in a blue footy top, but not an Everton top. Looked like a Schalke top... surely there can't be two such fans?

Iwobi should play centrally or not at all, in my view.

Only joking, Derek!

Andy Crooks, get yourself over mate. Hope to see you soon.

Peter Mills, you would have absolutely loved it and would have been dancing in the stands.

Mike Gaynes, thank you. Keep that blue and white Stars and Stripes flying proudly and get yourself over so we can meet. Make those stripes blue and you have a perfect flag!!

Neil, good to catch you for a quick chat and I'm pleased your daughter had a great experience.

Paul Tran, when that net bulged, it actually took me a few seconds to take it in. Only a few, then I was Danny the teenager again hugging people I didn't know.

John Burns, depending on your plans, let's meet up with Rob and the rest who can make it. My match day habits vary. I tend to hit the Northwestern then onto County Road. Sometimes the Saddle, sometimes the Darkhouse to say hello to George McKane, sometimes the Brick, sometimes the Winslow. Sometimes the Royal Oak.

Caveat, I don't go to all of those in one trip!!

Regardless of where I land, it always culminates in a trip to the Goodison Supper Bar before kick off, even though I miss Z-Cars quite a lot.

Let's pick a spot and meet up.

Rob, I feel your pain. I've had some bad experiences with the trains this past year or so, I've had to fly to Manchester on a few occasions and coming back from Bournemouth after the night match, could only get as far as Woking, so had to get a taxi home, which is 20 miles away from where I live and can take up to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Tony, those supporters absolutely never cease to amaze. I sometimes wonder where they get it from. But then I remind myself. We are Everton. They live it and breath it. We all do.

If you were on the Eavesway coach, I crawled past you on the M4 just before Brentford. I parked at my son's place in Ealing and got the Tube in.

I live 30 miles away from Chelsea and it took me 3½ hours to get there thanks to the effing M25 and that queue on the M4.

I was next to a guy in the ground who had travelled down from Chester in 2½ hours!! Anyway, sorry I missed you. I think we met at Southampton a couple of seasons back?
UTFT.

My Man of the Match? Seamus Coleman of course.

On my way down to Goodison, a good hour before we're due to leave, there are already coaches going the opposite way up to The Rocket, and the start of the M62.

There's a member of the FAB who travels on our coach, so I've asked him if he can bring up the departure times at the next FAB meeting. We get to places, and before we know it, we're getting back on the coach to come home.

A great report on your day at the Bridge. We are getting there but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

Seamus is playing out of his skin at the moment, young Nathan will find it hard to dislodge him. Doucouré is reborn, he is back to being the player that he was during the early part of Rafa's reign. He is not the real deal but he has qualities that if exploited to the full can be very important to us going forward.

Saturday's effort was his second away day goal for us, both very similar in fashion. Ellis showed in his cameo that he can make a difference at the top end and he has an eye for goal.

A lot done, more to do!

You often mention your mixed heritage, Scots, Irish, etc. You must have some Gypsy blood in you, Danny, you are on the move constantly but with Everton travelling in your head.

On Saturday, watching the game, I have the sound turned off but thought of you and all of the Everton fans from ToffeeWeb along with the rest of those marvellous fans who follow the Blues wherever they play.

I admit I was jealous of all of you at the end of the game because I wished I was there celebrating like you all obviously did, proud of the team but more proud of the fabulous support.

Keep your posts coming, Danny, every day of the week and twice on Sunday, they are always welcome. Best wishes, Danny.

Anyway, I hope this glorious draw at Chelsea doesn't spark the same disastrous run that followed the last one! Wasn't it a Brighton defeat at home followed by that debacle at Norwich??

Regarding our fans, I remember even following that horrible defeat we were all singing on the train back to dat Lundun!

UTFT

Read your reports on your grandson's recent games, tell Charlie to pull his socks up – it's two games since he scored!!

Peter, I doubt you will ever get better enjoyment than watching your kids or grandkids playing football and seeing them enjoying playing at the same time.

Come on, Charlie, get a goal next game!!

I didn't hear a peep out of the Chelsea fans, but I'm guessing part of that is due to their mediocre season – they simply don't care that much any more. They're going to finish mid-table, so their focus is on the Champions League.

I know it's been debated elsewhere, but I wish we didn't do the Chelsea Rent Boys chant. In my opinion, it's embarrassing, and I think we're better than that.

But other than that, the day was a joy. As for over-celebrating a point, every game is a cup final for us – as it was this time last season – so I think we were quite restrained!

I'm not sure my ticker can take much more of this, but you can't say it's boring at the moment being a Blue.

Next time out, there are 3 bottom-of-the-table six-pointers before we play Spurs: Palace v Leicester, Forest v Wolves and West Ham v Southampton. Leeds are away to Arsenal.

If results go our way (and I'm assuming we will beat Spurs, who are there for the taking, surely) we can reach the nose-bleed heights of 12th place.

COYB

A lad on our coach was arrested at the ground for chanting it in both the first and second half of the game – not the brightest spark obviously. I don't know all the details but he has a summons to appear in court in Westminster apparently.

There will no doubt be repercussions for the club failing to control its supporters.

It was the same after last season's Palace game. But I couldn't really give a monkey's what they think. It's like listening to the Kopites telling us to stick with Benitez despite the run of losses. Like they know how such a run feels.

The Simms goal gave me great joy. That's what I watch football for.

Charlie's been a bit out of form for the past couple of weeks but you know strikers – once he scores one, he'll go on a run.

His mood won't have been helped by younger brother Sam netting one yesterday (the lads play Saturday and Sunday).

As for me, I managed to video a couple of goals on my phone last week, posted them on the club's Facebook page, and I've now been appointed official team photographer (I didn't get a say in the matter). So much of the match is now taken up deleting accidental videos of grass and sky.

You're right, it's great to watch them, and the development of all the kids is a joy.

As long as Charlie and Sam are enjoying playing, that's the main thing. The goals will come for Charlie; form is temporary – class, ability and style are permanent!!

With technical stuff, simple things to most people, I haven't got a clue. A couple of years ago at a party for my mate's great grandson's Christening, his granddaughter gave me her phone and asked me to take a photo of her and my mate, which I did. She just carried on as normal, never checked the photo.

She came back half-an-hour later and said. “Dave, have a look at the photo you took of me and my grandad!” It was a brilliant snapshot of a tray of cakes on the next table!! I thought the cakes looked lovely myself!!

I'm amazed anyone was arrested for singing that – I thought that if they arrested one, they'd have to arrest 75% of the away end.

Yes, I agree, it is only banter and I've heard a lot worse, but it's been deemed homophobic (which is debatable), so we should knock it on the head.

Personally, if I was a rent boy, I wouldn't be all that bothered about some scallies saying hello to me.

Development and enjoying the game.

They can leave the stress to us!

Rob, on the away coach departures, as we have discussed previously ,I suspect someone in the club is just looking at the standard Google Maps timelines and instructing the coach company accordingly. They appear to allow no contingency for traffic congestion etc.

Overall, I have few complaints about a service I have used for over 15 years but this season our arrival times for the long trips are a little too close to kick-off time for comfort.

Goodness, even as we get older, the thrill of it never leaves us, the expectation, the hope, the sheer bloody delirium of a win – may it never leave you, Danny. Thank you for reminding me, so far away, of what the match means to so many of us.

The away support of this club is absolutely incredible. Against Chelsea, you could hear them virtually the whole game, they never stopped and easily out-supported the home crowd, as they have done at every away game. Makes you proud, doesn't it?

Thank you for that, Danny, lifted my morning. On a wet, miserable autumn day in Taranaki, a ray of sunshine has broken through the clouds! Ta mate...

It was a poor year for snow on the mountain last winter, a bit too wet, I think, but looking forward to walking up to the snowfields when winter comes in a month or two.

Didn't you bust an elbow climbing it? Want to get there and plant an Everton Flag, that would be pretty cool!

I joined Everton Coach 1 at 11am at The Rocket. We had to pull into Lymm Services to have a wheel changed and then carry on straight to West London. We got off the coach at 16:50, and got back to The Rocket just after 00:30, so a long day.

Maybe FAB should look into the re-introduction of football special trains. Back in the day, the club used to run the Blue Streak to away games; much quicker and, these days, much more ecologically friendly.

We were in the lower front row, slap bang centre of the goal. It was very interesting being so near to, and watching, Jordan Pickford close up. He mentally kicks every ball and shows huge frustration when passes or throw-ins go astray.

We were right next to the Chelsea fans. Two morons, in particular, were mouthing it off good style. They must live such sad, uninteresting lives. Surprisingly, they were removed by Chelsea stewards so well done to them!

Look before you bleedin' leap, lad! I'd have been like a mountain goat on that mountain when I was your age – or even when I was 50!!