Everton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

If Calvert-Lewin is fit enough, play him. We need the three points and it's going to be a whole lot tougher otherwise.

If so, I'd be tempted to play one winger (Gordon or Gray) and then Maupay playing off Calvert-Lewin in a free role to make a total nuisance of himself and win possession on the second ball from Calvert-Lewin's challenges and knock-ons.

I think this attacking set-up is more unpredictable and difficult to defend against. As far as Maupay goes, it's the role he was born for; trying to use him any other way doesn't work.

What makes you think Calvert-Lewin will manage to get us 3 points?

He's done sod all so far!

Our best result of the season so far was the 3-0 win versus Palace when Calvert-Lewin scored the opening goal.

Tony (1),

I agree about using Maupay in a free role. We became far too predictable with two wide attackers in the 4-3-3.

What exactly is the fucking problem with Dom's injury?

He just never seems to be able to get fully fit anymore.

Hope and pray DCL is ready to go as he's our best option to get us out of the shit we find ourselves in.

Totally agree

I can just imagine a lock in meeting til some bright spark came up with 5 subs. Then in another, 'I know, let's add 15 mins to each game so top clubs can bring on super subs to kill 'em off when their average players are already knackered!'

Will it be introduced to our league as of Boxing Day, I wonder?

It's good news about Godfrey as I think Coady will be unavailable against Wolves.

Everton need to be strong on defence at the very least as Wolves who have trouble scoring themselves still may have Jimenez and that dirty sod Costa figuring in he game.

It would be nice to see Gordon and Gray show some mettle and perhaps Townsend may return soon to bolster the attacking options. We will see.

Also, Lopetegui manages an extremely high-pressure style that will require us to pass the ball well out of the back, and Keane is a vastly superior passer to Godfrey.

So that's my prediction. FWIW.

Once Upon A Time At Goodison, v Palace, 19 May 2022, night game.

History confirms, and this game kept Everton in the Premier League.

A great night to remember, is right.

UTFTs!

I wonder why many TWers think that Godfrey is a better defender than Holgate? Holgate was playing well as part of back 3 before he got injured. I wonder if Lampard would be tempted to revert to a Back 3 in Coady's absence?

Pickford
Holgate Tarkowski Godfrey
Patterson Gana Onana Mykolenko
Iwobi Maupay Gordon

Or maybe play a traditional 4-3-3 with Gray in in place of Godfrey?

Pickford
Patterson Holgate Tarkowski Mykolenko
Iwobi Gana Onana
Gray Maupay Gordon

My reasoning is that, because both of them have played fullback, then they could slide into these positions quite naturally (like the fella the Chelsea fans call 'Dave' has done quite convincingly) but is Vinagre good enough to play wingback in the Premier League?

I think this is the only system that Everton are going to find balance under Lampard (looking at what I've watched so far under his management). But I'd then play with three central midfielders and either two up front, or sometimes I'd ask either Gordon or Gray to float off Calvert-Lewin.

I'd love to go to Goodison and see Everton steamroll Wolves, but I'd honestly be happier with a dogged 1-0 victory if the Everton team closed all the spaces.

Again, Wolves' new manager will have them pressing high on our backline. We need defenders who can pass the ball quickly and accurately and not turn it over in their own end.

That ain't Holgate.

I'd go with Mina for the first 20 minutes until the inevitable, then Keane to come on and give one of those decent performances he does every 5 games — including a goal. 😉

If he goes 3 at the back, I'd be tempted to put Mykolenko on the left side.

That's as far as I'll go. Whoever starts and whatever the formation, the players need to show up and get the 3 points.

Team talk over!!

My worry is that Lampard is preparing us for yet another game without Calvert-Lewin in the starting eleven.

As for Godfrey, his only asset is his pace, he is a woeful footballer. I expect that Mina will start. After all, we pay him a lot of money so we might as well get another 20 minutes out of him.

Lampard reminds me of Southgate with his cautious approach. I would like to see young Cannon in if Calvert-Lewin is missing out.

However, I think we will see Maupay alone again... naturally. I just hope for Gordon to light up Christmas.

I thought his horrendous error at Leicester had gotten us relegated last season. It probably would have done if Holgate hadn't come to the rescue with the winner.

It's anyone but Mina for me. The last thing this side needs is another reshuffle when he twists a shinpad.

I totally agree about Godfrey, he has pace and that's it. I am afraid his positional sense for a Premier League player is woeful.

He doesn't win many defensive headers so, for me, it's a toss-up between Holgate and Keane. Also, Darren is right: Mina is a liability at times.

First I'll talk about the frustration people often get at not clearing the first defender on corners. It's linked.

It's a deliberate tactic employed by most teams. Hit the runner at the front post to change the angle. Go deep and it's bread and butter for most decent centre-backs or a commanding keeper.

But a lot of teams will counter this by having a defender looking for and challenging for it.

To my Holgate point. When he came on for the injured Godfrey against Chelsea this season, he played that to perfection. Literally as soon as he came on, there were a barrage of corners aimed at the near post and he was there to meet just about all of them ahead of the intended target.

Holgate has had some very good spells for us and has many of the ingredients of an excellent player. Honestly, I think being at Everton through the turmoil, the conveyor belt of managers, constant upheaval etc has ruined what might have been a bit of a stalwart for us.

Provided Lampard organises the side well, keeps things simple etc, then Holgate should be fine. In fact, he even gives us a bit more pace than when Coady is playing.

The glaring issue remains the midfield and forward positions.

Mina is error-strewn, but that could well be because he doesn't ever get to a stage where you would call him 'match-fit'. If you have a free kick in a crucial moment in the game, you want him in the opponent's box.

I have a soft spot for Keane. Perhaps that is because he would play on one leg and perhaps because of the goal he scored against Palace. But there is no refuting the criticism so many level at him.

I'm simply not impressed by Coady and Tarkowski. Both capable of incredible last-ditch blocks... but I prefer defenders who don't need to rely on throwing themselves in front of the tanks! Players who go and meet danger long before it comes knocking on our door.

I can't make me mind up about Godfrey. He has impressed and disappointed in equal measure. His positioning is questionable, but he's like shit off a shovel.

I'm hoping I wake up on Christmas Morning to find we have signed Gvardiol, Branthwaite has been recalled, and they provide a defensive partnership upon which to build a dynasty.

I'm reliably informed that Uncle Bill will cut Real Madrid off at the pass and Land the young Croatian.

So it's over to Frank.

A mix of shit for brains, shit off a shovel, shit scared of injury, and just plain old shit.

Holgate is not the worst, but I do struggle to figure out his best position. Likewise Godfrey. Are they centre-backs? Full-backs? I don't think they are good enough on the ball to be holding midfielders as some suggest.

I too will forever remember Michael Keane's Brazilian like outside of the boot finish, but he concerns me. He worries me; frightens me even.

I like Coady and Tarkowski more, but agree, I want us higher up the pitch and on the front foot. I've been saying that for years and during the tenure of your nemesis Darren (Carlo Magnifico).

I'm with you on Gvardiol. Only a 20-year-old but playing like a seasoned 30-year-old. If only.

And get that Croatian keeper too. Then we can cash in on Jordan whilst his stock is high.

I don't know if anyone can produce it on here, but the photo of George, Alan Ball and Ray Wilson at Craven Cottage, prior to the first game of the 1966-67 season a couple of weeks after the World Cup win, is one of the most iconic in Everton's history.

Link

Ray Wilson. My dad was adamant he was the best left-back he'd seen play for Everton. I'll take his word over Pat Van Den Hauwe, but for me, it has to be Leighton Baines.

Cohen was a good full-back but without doubt not nearly as good as his oppo on the other side, Ray Wilson.

By a country mile, he was the best Everton left-back in my lifetime.

He reminds me of Stones who also suffered from being error-prone but has improved.

We have some decent defenders but sadly, Seamus has seen his best days.

A lot of people got obsessed by the badge thing a few years ago, especially when we had the Nike version.

If you look back over history, the club crest was only really adopted on the shirt in the 90s.

Prior to that we didn't really wear the badge.

The 1970s simplistic EFC on a diagonal slant. The interpretations of Prince Rupert's Tower in the glory years of the mid 80s on the iconic Le Coq Sportif kits was hardly traditional.

Ask me? I'd go with that new, simple and very discreet tower that the club is now using on it's marketing material.

We are Everton and know who we are. We don't need badges.

Who partnered who at the back against Villa is the question, and they will likely be used come Boxing Day.

Costa hasn't scored in the Premier League so expect that to change at Goodison…

Looks like Frank has a fit squad to choose from, so there will be no excuses for a poor performance.

I would have the lad Podense in a heartbeat... a very creative player.

The difference between Holgate and Stones is partly that, since leaving us, Stones has played alongside the likes of Laporte, Dias and Walker whilst poor Holgate has played alongside Mina, Keane, Godfrey and an old Seamus.

Wolves have had warm weather training in Spain, friendlies there against Empoli and Cadiz and then got back home for a League Cup game against Gillingham.

We went for a more Spartan approach, with training on the Finch Farm tundra, plus two friendlies/training games/kickabouts played under the Official Secrets Act.

The one against Villa was at Goodison, possibly to make the game seem "more real". But I liked the Leeds United approach. Two friendlies in the last week at Elland Road, against Real Sociedad and Monaco. Both games had attendances of 20,000-plus.

Of course, any club's pre-restart preparations can't be judged on one result. Time may tell though.

This page on the Premier League website lists what different clubs have done:

Club friendlies ahead of Premier League's return

Best laugh I've had this Christmas so far...

We need results, starting with what we have against Wolves and the next game, and people writing off Calvert-Lewin should realize that we may not have the funds to replace what he was or what he can become once he gets over his injury. Personally, I think he was rushed back too quick.

We are starting with an advantage having a home game after having the Premier League interrupted by people who thought more about lining their own pockets than the sport we all love.

Let's take advantage of it with what we have as we don't know how quick we can get reinforcements in the positions we need, or the finances we have. We may have some money to spend but I think we will have to sell to raise enough capital to afford the type of player we will need to score goals and or assist.

That cracked me up. On the centre-halves, it would be great if we replaced our team physician with Dr Frankenstein. Maybe he could carve them up and sew together a decent player made from the best parts of each one.

Goals conceded is great, it compares well with the top 8 clubs; if we can add some goals, we will be fine.

We will beat Wolves.

And United in the cup.

And Brighton.

Then Southampton.

We might get a point at the Etihad amongst that.

Darren #28, I'm impressed with Tarkowski and Coady for exactly the reason you dismiss. We're giving up nearly a goal a game less than last season, and I think the single biggest reason is their shot-blocking (and Mykolenko's). Fewer shots getting through means fewer goals.

We'd all rather have a team capable of playing more on the front foot and higher up the pitch but, since we don't, those guys are perfect for us at the moment.

Regarding our defence, in my opinion, three at the back doesn't work. Godfrey has come in for a lot of flak; he has played in every position at the back, which hasn't helped him at all, he has outstanding pace, and centre-back is his only position.

I would have agreed with you re Godfrey a couple of seasons ago but I fear injuries and poor form have hit his confidence.

He has pace to burn but, on recent performances, he has less concentration than Michael Keane and his passing is amongst the worst offenders.

Personally, I would sooner have Seamus in a back 3 with Holgate and Tarkowski although I would prefer a back 4 with a midfield 4 of Doucoure, Gana, Onana and Iwobi with Gordon, Maupay, and/or Calvert-Lewin forming a front 2.

Premier League: What the numbers say about how teams are really doing

Looks like we are in serious shit!

I go off instinct and blind optimism.

As the words of a song I grew up listening to courtesy of my parents, "Everton never promised me a rose garden". There's going to be a little rain sometimes.

We'll be in a better place Monday evening.

69 points and an FA Cup to play for.

And until he learns how to do that, he's got a problem making it in the Premier League.

I think another big problem is that he plays in front of a goalkeeper who rarely comes out, and a back four that wants to defend very deep. We have definitely never played to what must be considered one of Ben Godfrey's strengths? (High line).

I would like to think that Godfrey could become a very good central defender in the Des Walker mode but football has changed and out-and-out defenders are very few and far between nowadays. This is another problem for Godfrey who, besides not being great in the air, also isn't very good with the ball at his feet, either. (Neither was Kevin Ratcliffe, I suppose.)

I'd like to bring Branthwaite back because I think he's got every single attribute required and I think this must give him a chance of becoming a top central defender.

I look at our squad and sometimes think we have got some real talent (we obviously need a bit more going forward, or Calvert-Lewin to stay fit – preferably both) but a lot of our performances and results indicate otherwise.

I don't buy the Coady/Tarkowski hype. It's generated by people who are not seeing the bigger picture.There are two ends to a pitch.
We've scored 11 goals this season. That is not enough. We do not have Richarlison to win a few games for us, nor are we getting up the pitch to create chances for others.
There is more to football than the last ditch tackles that have so impressed some. We have lost 5 of our last 7 games (should have been 6).

One of these guys couldnt get a game for the team now occupying bottom position. The other got relegated last season.
We need to smell the coffee and split these two.
This is 2022. I'm not sure a couple of seventies type center backs can take us where we want to be. In fact I know they cant

Secondly there isn't the service from creative players to get him goals.

Digne, Sigurdsson, Rodriguez and Richarlison are all gone.

We need another forward and a quality creative midfielder and judging by Lampards press conference neither are likely. Very very difficult times lie ahead.

We are playing the bottom club at home and no one is confident we will win.

With the players we have, we should be doing better, much better.

Play 4 at the back and play an extra man in midfield and stop the opposition from creating chances and start grinding out wins.

Everyone at the club must know the importance of the Wolves game and there should be no Christmas at Everton. Get a fucking win and let the supporters relax a bit on Boxing Day. Second Christmas Day on the run ruined by Everton.

We need 2 wins in 4 games at the very least. Lampard can talk all the sense in the world but, if he can't get the wins, he must go.

We need 9 more wins and the way to do it is win the midfield battle against most teams. A strong midfield is essential so sacrifice a forward and play the extra midfielder. Do not play 3 at the back, a stupid system that has never worked, for us.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Even Everton can't ruin our Christmas Day when we don't play until Boxing Day. 🤔

Maybe I should have made it clear and said "help Everton fans relax Boxing Day night"!

No matter what Lampard says, even if we beat Wolves, Moshiri will have to find the money for the goalscorers we need, just to stay in the Premier League.

At present, we simply haven't the goal power to survive and relegation could affect the building of the new stadium.

The real issue is will Lampard still be around to buy new players? The next three games will decide his fate.

Loads of TW'ers know my stance on our club re Kenwright and his puppet Moshiri and I don't for a moment challenge your opinion above, but I've lost hope that there's a manager on the planet – confined in terms of plausible rebuilding as he will be by the gross financial ineptitude of the gruesome-twosome – who can improve our lot.

Genuinely, do you have anyone at all in mind for the manager's job, with even a scintilla of hope?

“Jordan Pickford's good form has masked how poor Everton have been defensively this season, so the Toffees need to improve or hope England's number one maintains his form for the entire season. A consistent run of games for Dominic Calvert-Lewin could improve things at the other end too.”

So selling Pickford would be a good idea according to some of the lesser lights in the fanbase? Absolutely ludicrous stuff. I sometimes wonder if our fanbase is actually just a parody.

We need a striker and quickly otherwise this club is gone. Kenwright will get some mystery illness before then, though, so don't worry, True Blue lovers, your saviour will be fine.

Darren #61, no, they can't. But they can do a better job than their predecessors (Keane, Mina, Holgate) of keeping us where we are until the attacking talent we need arrives at Goodison. And it's not coming fast, or soon.

I think rebuilding our attack will take two more windows at least. So having these two guys there to keep the back door closed is comforting. And they also provide something this club has needed for years -- leadership on the pitch. They hold people to account.

Tony #60, agreed. Godfrey's pace, athleticism and tackling ability are top class, and his driving runs forward with the ball are exciting. But a center-back who can't pass is useless in the modern attack, and as we've seen several times, a center-back who can't win headers is useless against corners. I wonder what his future may be.

Lighting quick, which gave him great powers of recovery, and he also had an ability to anticipate. I suppose I'm contradicting myself there as that made him a good defender.

At the other end of the pitch, I never rated Lineker as a footballer in the purist sense. But he could anticipate, get on the end of a ball and find the net.

It's why I used to get confused by people's criticism of Lukaku based on his touch and tracking back. He scored goals. That's what he was paid for. Not to chase corner flags like Marcus Bent.

I'm waiting for modern football to change, Mike, because I can't believe the chances most teams take, constantly trying to play out from the back, when they really haven't got the players to do it!

We are simply inviting pressure every game.

Anyway, I no longer like arguing with you because we have kind of developed a history. We've mastered the art of getting two rights to make a wrong...I 'm still conscious that we stopped both Calvert-Lewin and Lukaku dead in their tracks between us – perhaps we should be the centre-back pairing?

Looking at the weather over there, it looks as if even Crowley will be digging out his jumpers over the next few days… Wrap up, you guys over there. Stay warm, fuck the heating bill, and enjoy your Holiday.

Merry (and Holy, for the believers) Christmas to Blues everywhere. Enjoy the day, but not too much. We don't want anyone reporting for duty on Boxing day drunk and incapable.

Godfrey has had some bad luck but he's got a lot of good qualities. If we played a high line and had a tall, mature classy player alongside Godfrey I expect he could look really good as the lighting fast recovery defender.

However, we don't have that sort of player and are set up to play deep – which forces Godfrey out of the centre-back position into the full-back position.

Might he and Branthwaite hit it off as a pairing? Possibly… but only if we had a top-class holding midfielder to drop into the back line –- in the mould of Rodri or Fabinho. We don't have any holding midfielders despite attempting to buy 3 this summer.

I also can't see Coady and Tarkowski being dropped – even though they are sort of part of the problem.

So ultimately I think Godfrey will always be a wholehearted square peg in a round hole for us – instead of developing to his true potential as an excellent front-foot defender in a team which takes the game to the opposition.

Here's to Boxing Day, a Coady winner and 3 points Darren.

Have a good one, all of you.

That kind of makes me nervous.

I see that his profile picture shows a fine set of jet black hair that gives Gareth Barry a run for his money. Fair credit for holding off the grey for so long.

I also would like to see one of them experienced solid experienced men next season paired with Branthwaite, who I think brings everything to the table apart from experience. If he gets some game time now, it could be invaluable to Everton next season.

Godfrey is a player I want to believe in, his desire to be successful for us is second to none. I feel he has to almost bottle it and use it more wisely, work on the mental side of his game and yes his aerial strength.

Apart from the obvious need for a striker to back up and seriously compete with Calvert-Lewin for the main goalscorer, I think the balance of the midfield is a big issue. This is something that I will be hoping Frank and his team have been working on. Gana, Onana, and Iwobi need to function better as a midfield unit; discipline is needed, their roles need be clearly defined.

With regards to this, I'm thinking a 4-2-3-1 formation with Gana and Onana the two DCM roles and Iwobi bringing all his energy and skill to a very hard-working but creative No 10 position.

Up front we are too open with our two wingers. Try one winger playing on the left ahead of Mykolenko and then Maupay playing off Calvert-Lewin. On the right, give Patterson license to play to his natural attacking instincts when there is an opportunity.

At the moment, if Calvert-Lewin is still unfit to play 90 minutes, I think Tom Cannon needs to be used in Calvert-Lewin's role within this same set-up.

Anyway, this became a ramble! Happy Christmas to Evertonians all over the world. All the best and thanks to Lyndon, Michael and the team at ToffeeWeb.

I'm someone who doesn't live in the past and likes to look forward. But I respect the past. We had 3 leaders in that team.

Ratcliffe. The captain.

Peter Reid. The enforcer.

When you watch the Howard's Way documentary, you realise how those 2 must have often gone toe to toe, arguing and shouting at each other. In a healthy way.

And Southall. A non-conformist who wouldn't accept sub-standards. He was and remains vocal about it.

It is no surprise to me that none are involved in Everton Football Club other than attending the odd match. The board would be shit scared of their views.

It simply looks like we don't go out intent on winning the battle. Although football has changed with regards to tackling, if you don't work hard to close down the spaces, you simply become too easy to play against.

It seems to me that Frank Lampard is accommodating players rather than concentrating on finding the players that should complement his ideology.

I confess and take a few Hail Marys for missing out the infectious influence of Andy Gray, Dave. I think, if I remember correctly, he switched numbers with Graeme Sharp and took the Number 9 shirt from him.

Paul Bracewell. An understated player. What a shame injury prevented him going on to be a great.

Between him and Kevin Sheedy, never a hair out of place.

I agree with your thinking that it will be almost impossible this time to avoid another real relegation scrap this season. Also, you're right in saying the people in charge of our club have little or no idea of how or who could guide us to safety.

But I still feel that Lampard is so far out of his depth tactically, that he only has three games left to turn things round before we hit the panic button. TW is once again split between the wild optimists and deep pessimists, a very familiar situation on here.

I've no idea who might replace him; logically, it would have to be a good tactical organiser with lots of experience. We need someone who will bring in his own goalscorers with him, which might just be enough to save us.

I'm sure it's just a mistake by you, but Coady cannot play on Monday.

I'll go for Tarkowski then!

I understand the problem of when a player is adamant he wants to leave, but it left us in a real bad spot.

I mentioned earlier about our Goals For being very poor and Goals Against being good, that can obviously come from being more concerned about defending than going upfield and attempting to score.

Martinez had that in reverse.

Maybe get Bobby in as an attacking coach and Big Sam as our defensive coach and leave Frank to do the media work.

Simples...

I think the essential problem remains that neither Frank nor Roberto have nor had the funds to tackle the problems properly. One was manager before Moshiri opened the cheque book; the other after.

We're stuffed without a new owner who can absorb the BMD millstone and provide colossal amounts of loot for proper footballers.

We were out of compliance with FFP rules and we tried to sell a cock-and-bull story related to COVID.

Selling Richarlison appears to be part of a deal to avoid a points deduction. We bought another season to stay in the Premier League.

We have been subject to the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability rules, which you could argue are one and the same thing. And we have been in open dialogue with the Premier League in lifting our skirt to show them the books.

I also read an article yesterday that we are no longer required to speak to them, so the shackles could be off come January having balanced the books, however creative that may have been.

Take a bow, mate!

I've also come to the conclusion this club will never compete again with the big boys, so my expectations have also changed. I know I keep saying it but we needed Kings Dock and then Bill to piss off.

We're in free-fall because we're not scoring enough goals. And if you don't enjoy engaging with me, don't engage. It's fine.

Robert #73, you've hit on my concern about Godfrey as well -- who and what will he be for us?

Tony #71, me too. Footballing styles go in and out of fashion. Remember sweepers? Catenaccio? The "magical quadrilateral"? Inside left (my first position in school)? They all came and went. I think playing out of the back is already starting to fade as the high-octane pressure systems force turnovers and goals even against top teams.

I just wonder what will be next.

But lads, fear not – we are at only the second step of the new 5-year plan. The cavalry will get here in January, the new deadwood will be discarded. A forward like Sarr, a midfielder to pull the strings behind the forwards, and stitch it all together

We start moving the other way and we would have a very good foundation to build on. My guess is Cannon will start this game with Maupay playing off him and maybe Dom getting a run out later.

Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas and an even better Boxing Day.

Thanks, Allan.

Now... can Everton turn up please for the next few months because it's doing my head in!!!

I went past Bramley-Moore Dock before on the train, and if we can just get over these next few months, then things might finally begin to look up, especially after reading what Danny, said @92.

Hurry up and sell, Farhad, there's a football club waiting to wake-up, but first you have got to get rid of the curse. 🙏

For all our differences, we are joined in one common aim. Make Everton great again. Cheers folks.

My post was tongue-in-cheek.

Read it again.

Good post – and you're spot-on regarding FFP.

Bereft of European competition, we only come under the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules – not FFP.

Paul the Esk gave us a lesson on this back in January: Profitability and Sustainability Rules – Everton's Position – although his subsequent analysis and application of the rules, based on his projected numbers, was not confirmed but many believed that the club had to submit, agree and adhere to a budget that severely limited activity in the transfer market.

Which article did you read that suggested the shackles could come off? I strongly doubt that as I believe we are still constrained by the Profitability and Sustainability Rules, although the losses should hopefully be less for 2021-22.

We desperately need to win this one.

I have named the tall one in the middle Dominic, and the rest are Seamus, Idrissa, Demarai, Andre, Myko, Alex and James.

After lighting they will be sung to, in three languages.

And if that doesn't do it, nothing will.

A peaceful holiday, everyone. See you Monday.

Merry Christmas to all on TW

UTFT!

Sent courtesy of a fellow poster.

The website is reporting a report that originated from the Echo.

Link

COYB 💙💙

World Cup = summer only please moving forward forever.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Meanwhile, my cousin is in a pub in London on Christmas Day full of Chelsea. Spurs and Arsenal fans.With his Everton shirt on. Fucking 'Av it!

COYB

Is Harry Tyrer ready? If so, We can get 㿨M for Pickford, which can buy a top centre-forward.

If we can get 㿞M for Gordon, wow. Happy days.

I've asked Santa for a clean sheet as I've already wet myself thinking of relegation. God bless we don't get thrown to the wolves. 🎅🎅🎄👮✝️

We are in a relegation battle right now and I will be surprised if this is not the case coming to the end of the season.
Lampard might have had no luck with injuries but the fact is we are in a worse position with him in charge.

Only a few "better than we have" signings in January may make a difference, in my opinion; how we do this with no money will be difficult.

Goals, goals, goals is what we need.

I forget how many fucking times I have said this these last few years – tomorrow is a must-win game for Everton.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Let's hope that the Finch Farm staff have spent six weeks convincing the players to play in the opposition's half. And shoot. Often.

Let's hope that Thelwell has earmarked some options for players who can score goals, something we've studiously avoided since selling Lukaku.

Let's hope for 11+ players who are desperate to win and run their socks off.

All three should be a given, shouldn't they?

Rondon leaving is good news and the management should always think before buying players that are not relevant to the team.

I wish the team well against Wolves and in subsequent games. I hope we end up in mid-table, 7th or 8th position will be a decent finish for us.

Good luck to my countryman Iwobi and other Africans there.
Thanks.

Our first 11, the ones you have written down, have got us in the Premier League position we are in. It's time to put out the old ideas and bring in the new ideas. Play some youngsters and play Ben Godfrey. Cannon up front with Maupay, and Mills on the wing please.

It's not Lyndon's team of choice, it's what he predicts the manager will select. Maybe we'll get one or two surprises along the lines you've mentioned, but I would doubt it.

He can't play tomorrow. Only signs on January 1st.

Pickford
Patterson Godfrey Tarkowski Mykolenko
Onana Gueye Iwobi
Gordon Keane Gray

I think we should play Michael Keane up front as he can win the ball in the air and score headers and isn't too bad with his finishing — we might finally get good use out of him!

We've added one more candle for tonight's Hanukkah menorah, the eighth night. It's kind of a short candle, so I have named it Neal.

I've never seen Tom Cannon play, just a few highlights on the club site, but he may in fact be our only hope for goals up top.

Maybe they spoke to B.K about it, as he said lots of clubs ask him for advice.

It's baffling. The same fee Arsenal paid for Jesus and roughly what we sold Richarlison for. It seems struggling clubs like if they pay over the odds for a player somehow he will turn good. Haller, Joelinton, most Everton signings in the last 20 years. I can't think of an occasion when it's worked out that way.

They have a point although with Son, Kane, and Kulusevski I really couldn't see why Spurs felt the need to sign him

I was looking back with festive nostalgia at the signing of Walcott and Tosun for £47 million in January 2018. Imagine giving Allardyce that amount of money to spend.

Well, whoever we are or are not going to sign in January, they won't be available today, won't be available against City, not likely against Brighton and I doubt for the FA Cup against United. Knowing Everton, not even for Southampton.

So heads up, let's get behind what we've got and get the points. Curious who the manager goes with at centre back today. I'm assuming Calvert-Lewin will feature, but I don't think he will start. Godfrey on the bench?

Frank….“It is not easy but it is our job and it is recruitment's job to find the right players to help us now. Do we need help at the top end of the pitch? Yes. We are fully aware of that. But it is not easy to do because it is a hard market in January. I think we can do loans and buys – we will look at both – but I want players to improve us now, not just to come in and be squad players. They have to come and help us.”

He talked about Cunha being effectively overpriced and it wasn't a gamble for us. Or maybe we couldn't afford that? Time will tell but 㿘m buy clause seems over the top.

Interesting he says ‘loans and buys' with the word loans coming first. More importantly for me he is sending a clear message saying forget signing squad players. Any signings have to immediately improve the first team, so thank the sweet baby Jesus for that.

I'm expecting two forwards who can score goals if we buy one and loan one well who cares? Get the best achievable and available. A direct and goalscoring wide man, Kudus, Ismailia Sarr would do the job.

Then a physically strong mobile goalscorer who can also hold the ball up and win us some possession to seriously challenge Calvert-Lewin for top spot. Beto of Udinese has been repeatedly rumoured .

Both players will not be cheap options , but immediate first team improvements often do not come cheap . Can we get some creative deals done or get some sales or even wages off our own books to facilitate this? Another big window for Kevin Thelwell.

Done well, spending money is an investment not a spunking exercise. Spending well on these two essential players will see big returns.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/25/trust-in-frank-lampard-hangs-by-thread-before-evertons-boxing-d-day

Wolves are desperate. Just like we were when we signed Dele on loan with an obligation to buy (of sorts) last season. It's a big gamble in their part.

Got a feeling Gordon will come good today and we'll pick up the 3 points we need.

I still think that, if we fail to win today then we should act swiftly and remove Lampard. We need 7 or so wins, and this is one of 7 or so winnable games left. Fail to win today and it's difficult to see how we survive this season.

They are decent young players who may have a future at the club but currently they are League One level, maybe a mid-table Championship team if lucky. Expecting them to come in and regularly contribute as starters for us is very optimistic.

Keep in mind Maupay scored 25 goals in the Championship a few seasons back. The jump to this level is considerable and, though it's nice for them and the fans to see youngsters get a few minutes here and there, I'm not sure any of them are close to the Rooney (or even Barkley, Jeffers) type level who can come in and start a series of matches whilst contributing regularly.

Either we go on the run to mid-table mediocrity that we all crave right now, and somehow we've solved the goal-scoring problem, in which case we'll be ecstatic.

Or we hang on for dear life like last season and, in some twisted way, it makes us stronger together as we hopefully begin to see light at the end of this dark tunnel. We all know the third option, so I won't speak it out loud, but we'll sure as hell need each other then.

First job is recreating the magic from the Palace match earlier this season and getting 3 points. I don't know how it will be done, but I'm counting on Coady giving us all the dirty secrets we need to pull this one out, and being the Man of the Match even though he can't play.

Happy holidays to the believers, non-believers, Jews, gentiles, and every Blue in between.

I am trepidatious about today, though I should add that I feel that way about most of our games lately. Win and we provide a platform from which to build. Lose and Frank will be under serious pressure and those trigger happy Evertonians will come out of the woodwork lambasting the missed opportunity not to have got someone in before the World Cup.

I am expecting at least a spirited performance, we will learn a lot about how the players feel about Frank today; he will be desperate for the 3 points. Are they with him or are do they really not have the balls?

I will keep my magic Danny optimism pants on and go for a 2-1 victory with the crowd getting us over the line and papering over the cracks for one more week.

Where are the blues of those Palace and Liverpool games? That's who I want to see! For a short period, we had a glimpse of a direction that Frank wants to take us in. All too short-lived, of course… but this is Everton! COYB.

The Wayne Rooneys of this world are freaks of footballing nature.

Most take time to develop, establish themselves, and will have inevitable dips in form as they do so. Patience is needed with the majority of young players.

On Rooney, for those who like interviews and documentaries, there is a good one on YouTube courtesy of Toffee TV. Rooney talking to Barry Cass.

Link

There is another documentary on Amazon, more about his life and family.

A bit of a random one, but I watch a lot of football films and documentaries. There's a good one on Sky on demand right now. "Der Kaiser". The story of Beckenbauer, one of the best sweepers (Libero) of all time, who could also play on the front foot and attack. In German (well a lot of it Austro-Bavarian dialect actually), but there are English subtitles. I recommend it.

Back to Rooney. Saying he was gutted that he got called up for the England U17s when he wanted to play for Everton against Blackburn. Getting clocked by Colin Harvey carrying a bottle of cider as he headed off to hang with his mates after a match. Claiming at 16 years old he was better than all of the Everton players. Some of them not good enough to play for Everton – his words.

Time is a healer, but in light of his recent statement on the background of how his move to Man Utd came about, really interesting to hear him talk about Everton. Despite what he achieved, there is no doubt where his heart belongs.

Somewhere hidden inside, will remain that flickering flame. Like the one you keep for your first love, it never goes out.

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Just don't let your missus know.

I always take on board your views and generally agree, it's a difficult one, as you say, with expectations from the promising youngsters we have. I don't think many of us are that naive to believe they should start and play 90 minutes, but what is frustrating is to see their senior counterparts just do the same old, same old, without seemingly any sense of urgency or commitment.

At least give them a decent 20-minute run-out when Plan A or B is failing miserably; you never know – they may just surprise us. Admittedly the Wayne Rooneys of this World don't come along very often, and not with us, but at least give them a go.

Younger players don't have to be superstars. It's perfectly fine for them to be good, consistent players at this level. We won't know until they get games.

Today, we need to play in the opposition's half, push them back, move ourselves and the ball quickly.

Or is it the case that nobody believes a word of what Lampard says about Calvert-Lewin and his injuries any more? I'm in that camp I'm afraid.

Sad to say that many on here, having been behind him (even when he brought in Maupay as a backup), are awakening to the reality of the Calvert-Lewin situation and the implications for the club of our goal-scoring dilemma should we fail to do anything about it in January.

What has been said prior to the match suggests further caution on his part which points to a further non-appearance on Boxing Day citing match fitness or the danger of further injury. When will it end?

I am currently watching a great film “Great Expectations"... There is nobody connected to Everton who has anything to do with it!!

We might have actually had some good times if we had kept hold of the kid but we got lumbered with the curse instead and have suffered ever since.

I love Everton but I hate what we have become and I just hope the players can put some smiles on the faces of our long-suffering fans today. 🤞

Well, it is practically the same eleven that was producing nothing before the shutdown for the World Cup – except if brittle bones turns out, then it is liable to be a lot worse… especially if Frank's plans are the same.

I really hope so. Because I really don't want to see another season end like last season where we avoided relegation by the skin of our teeth.

I got the feeling from our last few games that the crowd was beginning to let Frank and his players know that the constant inter-passing between defenders was not what we came to see.

This reminds me a lot of the last few weeks of Martinez when he was more obsessed with possession than scoring goals or defending set-pieces; in the end, the crowd decided his time and tactics had run its course. I think, if Frank continues with the same style as before the break, then he will come to the same end as Martinez.

I mean, can the results be any worse if we do adopt a more attacking approach than we have showed so far this season?

I have very rarely seen a manager change his ethos about football. Some like their teams to play on the front foot and are a bit more cavalier and some are more cautious; sadly, I think Frank falls into that category. Which – considering the type of player he was – makes it even more puzzling.

You're just telling it how it is, mate. After the Bournemouth debacles, Lampard should've been sacked, he's way out of his depth and hasn't got a clue tactically, but Moshiri and Co must think they know something we don't.

Even a win today, although it would be much welcomed, won't disguise the appalling lack of quality in this squad that will ultimately catch us out over the remainder of the season, again and again.

Not getting a win puts Frank right behind the 8-ball. But get that win and we could be away.

If we get beat, I wouldn't necessarily be booting him tonight, but we would need to start lining up the next guy.

One thing that must not happen: If we aren't improving, he shouldn't be given the money to spend. Either he gets the results with these, or he goes and the new chap gets the money.

Worst-case scenario is Frank stays to spend even more money on tosh.

No prizes for guessing what the score ended up and no prizes for guessing how his Everton tenure ended up, even if it's easy with hindsight.

Hindsight is a great thing, but it's definitely better to have foresight, and that's why my message to Frank Lampard is, sort out your midfield or you're going to be out of a job very soon?

Good luck Frank, I just hope you get it right, mate💙

He's honest about the move and feeling let down by the club. Not only did they agree to sell him to Chelsea, but the receiving club planned to loan him straight out to Middlesbrough.

So he took things into his own hands.

He was gutted, his dad was gutted and he wanted to stay. At least for another season or two to see how things went at Everton.

I guess you can only take him at his word and that is his version of events.

I'm going to try and focus on today. Let's get those much needed points.

And anyway statistically, the longer it was since, then the more likely it is to happen.

But I suppose it was no different to the treatment the club gave Gary Speed when he left, making sure that another Evertonian would be labelled a 'shithouse' by the... erm... Goodison 'Faithful'.

I'm just going to try to relax and enjoy the game today, see if I can recapture that old festive football feeling of yore, felt both at the ground or watching on screen. Loved it.

With the "quality" of our football and usual predicament in recent times it's been mostly absent. Would appreciate a nice, simple, committed and positive performance today.

Win today and it's a completely different picture though.

I think those events are pretty standard across football with perceived transgressions of loyalty - as is the eventual crossing of the threshold of forgiveness after a certain time, and "respectful" applause.

We have had one or two instances of it being a little much though. Alas the real story behind things only surfaces much later - or never.

controversial, but I'd be watching events at West Ham very closely. I think they could well boot Moyes in the next couple of weeks. Astonishing really given the work he's done on them since he arrived. I'd bring him back and let him spend the money. I'm at the point now of not really caring about how we play against the top four away, I just want to sign some good players and stabilise.

You guys are killing Santa. Feel like taking me tree down.

The players part I can go with.

They score few goals like us, so how about 0-0. I like their goalie and Pickford is playing out of his skin which again points towards a 0-0.
I'm hoping for a win like the rest of you, but with this lot I cant muster much confidence.
I'm not in the blame it on Frank brigade because I cant see what he could have done much differently. I think if DCL had been available we would be in better shape now, he can only pick from who's fit.

I would love to want to watch MOTD tonight for a change.

3 points today please Everton.

That said i'm i've not seen Gyokeres play. Is he any good? Is he what what we need for rumoured figures of around 㾻 million. Maybe better value elsewhere.

I think someone who could help us would be the lad at Burnley out on loan now. Had a good world cup Weghorst.

Well, there was a happy ending to the film so it's very unlikely that Billy Boy could have had any part in it!!