Gray: Reaction against Chelsea shows character shift

This is definitely something that has been needed when you analyze the whole club and the way it has been allowed to get progressively worse because of the constant chopping and changing.

Suddenly, it seems that we have got a manager who is treating his players like men and, for the first time in a long time, Everton have begun to play like men.

Keep it going now, Blues, because, as Demari Gray has just said, we have suddenly become a much harder match for teams, which should be all the incentive we need.

That is the main criticism I have of Carlo. The ‘I am not a magician' position made clear the situation to management but left the team soulless when he left.

Since then, there has been some grifting on their reputations. Dyche seems to be cutting through that and it is not an approach, it is a principle. It could be why Keane got such an early look, to all our surprise, he is our player – not a loan.

This international break is a damn good one. Rest, extra time to get the lines right, get Simms some touches with the first 11 and more time for that Spurs pimple to fester into a boil… this is a good thing, I think. UTFT!

Sean Dyche has brought stability to the team, crucially a formation the players can understand and much better execute the game plan week after week. Teams and opposing managers, Arsenal, Brentford etc know what to expect and still struggle against us. That is a great credit for Dyche and the players.

The players are looking harder, fitter and more competitive, also, maybe coincidentally, picking up less injuries. The training regime and backroom staff are contributing to this upturn.

Life has got a lot tougher for the players under Sean Dyche, but at the same time they look like they are really enjoying training hard and being pushed to the limit.

We are now physically ready on matchday, and that automatically brings with it a better mentality, and the confidence to compete and win.

The fans pay to travel long distances and pay for their seats. The players and staff are paid, some of them well, and others fantastically.

It's good that Gray is up for the fight, but him and his mates have let the travelling fans down so many times this season that it would be better if he waited till he scored a few goals and we were safe before spouting the club's latest soundbite.

He had a face like a smacked arse when he came off the bench the other week, looking like the proverbial Billy Big Bollox, and put in a cameo of classic "going through the motions" proportions.

Now he's playing his part in a collective!

I might sound a bit grumpy after that latest point was grabbed but Gray is a kid with tons of ability, marvellous skills, and he is quick. He should be scoring 10 goals a season and pinging in crosses and free-kicks for fun.

I want to see him getting into the box and winning penalties or scoring goals, regularly – not a worldy twice a season.

I hope this is the start of him being more consistent.

Fine words from the young man in my opinion. I thought I was coming down but his closing statement has made me emotional again.

We were in unison with the players at the end on Saturday and, as Demarai said, the players could feel it and joined in. Even though we hadn't won, we were together with the effort on the pitch and those supporters in the corner of the Shed End.

I'm just gutted there is an international break.

Bring on Tottenham.

Dyche started off from a hamstrung position and he has managed in his short time to put a few valuable points on the board, which has given Everton a real fighting chance of avoiding the dreaded drop, but I believe the real hard work starts from 3 April onward as the stakes get higher and the pressure builds with each game played.

Spurs at home followed by Man Utd away wouldn't be the games of choice in our position, so if we can beat Spurs or at least draw both matches, that would be fine; anything more is a bonus, anything less and we'll be back in the brown stuff, due to having played a game more and the terrible goal difference.

We can all have a rest and lower the stress levels during the International break, but come the first week in April, we'll all – fans and players – have to step up to the plate and give our everything for the final couple of months of the season.

I'm off to bed now and won't be available until the first Saturday in April. :)

Maybe I'm wrong; football is a lot harder out on the pitch than it is watching from the sidelines but I agree that Demari Gray definitely has the potential to be reaching double figures and also creating more goals.

It was really a great point and we'll deserved.

I agree with Barry – we must not get carried away. Progress has been made but two consecutive defeats would probably see us return to the Bottom 3.

He may not be scoring as many as he has in the past but, as recounted above, he is playing in an unfamiliar position in an unfamiliar system, and as soon as Calvert-Lewin is back on track, he will be able to assist him and share the goalscoring responsibilities (or with Simms).

McNeil has been finding much more space since Demarai was reinstated, and if he did nothing, it would still be an upgrade on the paltry efforts of Maupay.

We should heed the caution being recommended by both Barry & John. A look at the weekend fixtures following the break, it's perfectly feasible given how the results fall, that we could be next to bottom even before we play Spurs on the Monday.

So clearly no room for complacency on anyone's part, particularly as the majority of those around us have games in hand. Consequently, make no mistake this is going to be a dogfight to the bitter end.

Wise words, no room at all for complacency. Normally, there are one or two basket cases who are near certainties for the drop. This season, there are nine teams all of whom can win games but are inconsistent, all to the same degree.

The little bit of momentum we have got feeds some optimism; others are currently in negative territory and it's hard to turn that around. I still think it's going down to the last two games, a total of 2 points needed from Wolves away and home against Bournemouth.

I'm not sure how valid this is, but there was a very strong rumour at Finch Farm that Conor Coady had been disciplined for ‘over-indulging' whilst celebrating his recent birthday party.

Eddie #10, I think your hopes and expectations are wildly out of line if you want to see Gray "getting into the box and winning pens or scoring goals, regularly" and bagging 10 goals a season. He has never done that, never even come close.

In 11 professional seasons, his peak is 6... for us last season. Yes ,he has talent, but please, man, keep it real. (Tony #14, same comment, mate.)

Dyche has conjured something from somewhere that was previously wholly absent (and thanks for that) but we'll do well to survive (as will six other way smaller clubs).

Hopefully Onana can turn the corner in getting up to Premier League level. Tarkowski is providing the defender coming forward threat, which was missing, and Keane is trying to follow that example. Simms scoring has added a further dimension.

I am nervous of the International break and would have preferred that Gray had not been wheeled out. It has now become a habit with me to drawback at this stage as my confidence in the team drops at the prospect of no match practise is replaced by questionable time at Finch Farm. Such has been my experience.

But I do feel that Dyche has built his foundations slowly and purposely and may have the team now sufficiently motivated, as they see progress around them, to keep the momentum of change going. If he has, there is little to fear in the next two matches.

"The players are looking harder, fitter and more competitive, also, maybe coincidentally, picking up less injuries."

That is a great point and something that I hadn't really thought about. The conditioning of the team has definitely improved since Dyche took over, as you can see the intensity on the pitch.

I hadn't really considered our injury list of late, but there are only really Townsend and Calvert-Lewin. Patterson is very close to being ready.

I did notice that Townsend joined the squad for the Chelsea game, so hopefully that is a good sign that he can work his way back into contention before the end of the season. Having his experience available for the last 5 games would be invaluable.

Like a few posters have alluded, if he plays regularly and consistently, as we all know he can, we have a real bargain player on our hands.

Let's not forget too, it was Benitez who brought him into Everton, so thanks, Rafa. I'm no great fan of Rafa but give credit fairly where it is due. I just wish Andros Townsend could get back on the bench at least from his long lay-off, now there is a player who does give 100% and is also capable of scoring much-needed goals.

Steve @ 25, good to know that Patterson is on the verge of return, but how can Seamus be dropped after his performances of late?

Perhaps playing Patterson further forward, or, let Seamus condense his 90-minute battery into a 45-minute one, and swap at half-time. Worryingly though, Nathan's injuries have usually been picked up on International Duty. Fingers crossed.

Connor Coady is on loan and it did cross my mind he wasn't taking any chances in his play, thinking next season he would be somewhere else.

Keane, an ex-Burnley player, has bought into Dyche's mission. Maybe things have not gone as Coady expected, with his England call-up and all that.

With Coady in the team, Tarkowski was doing the work of two men… badly at times.

Demarai Gray is now at an age where he should no longer just arrogantly believe that, just because he's got ability, he's doing enough, and instead should be made to realise that he can get a lot more out of himself.

Telling him the truth is surely much better than just accepting him for what he currently is, although I'm sure this depends on what we already see in the player.

I think the focus he puts on the mentality of the side and mental resilience has been needed for a long time. For me, it is his work in this area (along with getting the side fitter) which is behind the improvements we are seeing.

Lots of people have said we have looked too weak mentally or lacked character in the past - but no recent manager has ever seemed to really tackle it properly before Dyche. Formations and tactics are great but the mental side of the game is key too.

I also think Dyche is an excellent and very clever man-manager. This is also why we are seeing the players putting in better performances and looking more motivated. From watching him speak, he has that knack of giving it to you straight but in a way that does not annoy you. The players are obviously responding to that.

I still consider, with these players, Dyche will do well to keep us up.

We have a midfield who struggle to pass a ball.

We're seeing good fight, just as we did at a similar point last season once we realised we were well and truly in the shit.

We're still in a similar position to last season but with fewer attackers. It's squeaky bum time. That hasn't changed.

As for Gray, he's done surprisingly well as a striker. Even some sturdy back-to-goal work defending the ball from big centre-backs.

I'm hoping it's a lesson to Dyche too (if he needed it), that his tactics don't need to revolve around a traditional target man. We can play more modern, versatile, technical forwards and still benefit from direct play and getting the ball in the box early.

He's stood up to what has been asked admirably and led the line.

In the last two games, I've watch him work himself to near exhaustion. You can't ask for more than 100% effort and hard work to complement the quality.

I'd be interested to see him play off Simms as that looks to be the forward option now in the continued absence of Calvert-Lewin.

But realistically, I'd rather see him pushed back wide with Iwobi playing off the forward in what I think is his better position.

An extra game-free week to work on the fitness of Calvert-Lewin, Andros Townsend and young Patterson can only add to the squad depth. I'd be delighted to see a couple of them on the bench for the Spurs game.

As for Demarai Gray, he has always had talent. He now has a manager who won't let him waste it. In all sport there is a simple formula:

Talent x Effort (x A Little Luck) = Success.

Good players who don't put in the effort can be beaten by poorer players with more work rate. But good players who put in a shift are unbeatable.

I always cite David Beckham as an example of this. Loads of talent and always grafted too. Dyche got the best out of a prosaic squad at Burnley. He can get more out of better players given the chance.

And Sean seems to be doing it throughout the team. I thought Keane has done really well, since coming back into the team and I put his improvement down to the manager as well.

I agree with Martin above. An extra week will work in our favour this time. We've got good players near ready to play, this week might make all the difference.

Yes you are right to ask for a bit of caution regarding our position but 5 points from three games against Brentford who were unbeaten for 12 games and two draws away from home is not bad.

If we continue in the same vein, that will take us over 40-points mark. And you are right: we could have lost some points but we might have got a couple more from the games at Forest and Chelsea.

I wonder if he'll get a chance at Everton next season? Probably not but he's a good young player and will probably fetch a decent little fee now. Great athlete. Only 22.

I'm all for crediting the players' efforts but some people are getting very carried away. It's the same bunch who have been crap for most of the season. They will be crap again. At the moment, hard work and a show of resilience is scraping the points needed to stay in contention for a place in the Premier League next season.

40 points in 10 games' time will mean we've maintained what people seem to view as a rich vein of form under Dyche. That's a lot to expect.

We're 3 points off bottom of the league and most of the teams below us have at least one game in hand.

The games against our rivals will be huge. We've faltered there plenty of times before.

I'm more hopeful than I was at the end of January, but still nowhere near optimistic. Whether I'm a pessimist or a realist depends on your own level of positivity.

Doucoure has looked unrecognisable in his role further forward. The conundrum is Iwobi. I see a lad who has vision and can pass, a good engine but he unfortunately is brushed aside too often.

The stark difference in the team exposes Lampard's tenure as being far too long. Earlier action would have given Dyche more leeway. Now we have little room for any cock-ups.

All the lower teams are capable of taking points from anyone and the spectre of facing Bournemouth on the last day is a haunting one.

I want us safe before that game. They showed at Arsenal that they can cause problems and we have lost twice to them already. We need to continue to pick up points as it's going to be very tight.

I also saw Townsend was at Chelsea. He was on the pitch before kick-off... I do hope he is nearly ready.

If you have a forward (Calvert-Lewin or Simms, presumably) and Iwobi and Gray, then who would you drop? Not McNeil and Doucoure surely, given their current form.

Gana (or Davies, who I like a lot) is required in front of the Back 4, which means that Onana would need to be dropped. Is that what you are suggesting?

I actually like that team, which would be more hard-working than with Onana in it – who presently (from my TV view) seems to be cruising through games.

When Dyche gave his first press conference, when asked if he was disappointed not to sign any new players in the January window, said that "there are some very good players in the squad".

I scoffed thinking that this was his way of motivating the players. But all credit to him, he really has managed to squeeze the most out of the players at his disposal.

We have all seen the struggles that Chelsea are going through with their bloated squad, similarly Nottingham Forest. We do have an overload of centre-backs, and are definitely light up front, but this squad may just be tight-knit enough to see us over the line along with Dyche's fine man-management skills.

Yes, we were definitely crap for most of the season but we are much less crap under Dyche than we were under Lampard and so are the players under Dyche.

You have even picked up yourself being more hopeful rather than optimistic but less pessimistic than you were, two or three players are coming back from injury, Simms could improve our attacking movement and Dominic could still play a part and add a few goals plus his hold-up ability.

No, obviously we are not yet safe and even when we are there is a huge job to be done to get us out of the mess we are in but, on the playing side, I believe we have a pragmatic manager and coaching staff who will bring stability to the squad and start rebuilding the team from next summer.

Even for an ever increasingly older '80s veteran like myself, this is not Howard Kendall's XI that, when fit, picked itself backed up by the very capable Kevin Richardson and Alan Harper.

The modern game is one of squad rotation. Both in terms of who plays and who plays where.

It's why I tend to mostly stay clear of team predictions. Come matchday, I'm only interested who is on the pitch.

I made a suggestion about where I think Iwobi and Gray could be effective in the current squad.

I don't pick the team. I just support them.

I don't expect Garner to get a starting place as he is no better than Onana and nor is Davies. Simms scored a great goal but may well be better as an impact sub than starting as he struggles to stay involved in a game over 90 minutes (just ask Sunderland fans).

The only thing that would change it in my opinion is injury or a downturn in results or if Calvert-Lewin comes back. Hopefully the latter is the most likely!

If that happens, then I expect he would be a straight replacement for Gray (though possibly Gray comes in for Iwobi for easier home games).

Would like to see more use of Subs though. DCL, Simms, Patterson, Garner, Mykolenko, Maupay, Davies and even the likes of Mina and Coady all capable of coming on and playing a part in seeing out a win or coming back from behind.

If we want the other 11 to last through the season we'll need to see more of the above from 65-70 mins….but with 11 points in 8 games, right now: In Dyche I Trust.

It will take a lot more than a draw against Chelsea to convince me things are getting better. Next two games are Spurs and Man Utd. By mid April, we could be rock bottom.

So let's not get carried away by one decent result. After all, we also drew with the Reds and Man City this season but things got worse after that.

We were sinking without trace, but anyone who is watching Everton now and still having those same thoughts must be someone who has pessimism running right through their veins.

Of course we are not out of danger but we are playing like a team now and also playing like real men offering loads of fight. This has suddenly given a fanbase that was lost massive belief.

Don't listen to him, Peter!!!

Under Dyche, tactics look simplified. Doucoure's workrate has replaced Iwobi's down the centre. Gray's pace and all-round ability has replaced Maupay.

We have a threat from set-pieces. After conceding back post headers for what seems like years, we now have that threat ourselves. Why has it taken so long?

Keeping things simple in football works most of the time. We aren't out of the mess but we have given ourselves a fighting chance now.

We are fighting in the stands with spirit and soul again.

I don't think anyone is getting carried away.

But none of us are giving in. And we won't.

His effort can't be denied, imo. He always tries to make things happen, always willing to make runs, take on a man, which in this team is rare. Not afraid to take responsibility. Yes, his end product is wanting sometimes, but what a worse position we would be in without Demarai Gray this season.

As a couple have said, the next two games may make the table look worse for us with Spurs and Man City on the way, but I'm optimistic. Same as Arsenal, they are free hits as no one expects us to get anything but we may surprise some people. A bit of a rest, then getting 3 points from one of them games would be a big relief.

A settled team can work in our advantage and then hopefully Simms getting stronger, Calvert-Lewin and Garner to help out too.

For me, that means we can focus on striker reinforcements for Calvert-Lewin (who knows, maybe Simms too) and a right-sided midfielder to take over from Iwobi.

I'm very confident of 4 points from the next two games. I fully expect a win against Spurs and a draw at Man Utd. We will finish on a minimum 42 - 43 points this season.

Lovely sunny warm weather down here on the Costa del Sol by the way!

I think switching Keane for Coady was the correct decision and, as a result, Tarkowski has looked more comfortable.

Nice to hear you are matching the players and taking an international break.

Back to Saturday. Our company bookkeeper is a Chelsea season ticket holder. Reckons the Everton support was the best (and loudest) he's seen from visiting fans at the Bridge this season – and possibly longer. Congrats to all involved.

Sam #46, I agree to an extent, but I'm also convinced that if a healthy Garner gets a start -- say Gana rolls an ankle or commits another brain fart, or Onana has to sit out a yellow card suspension -- he will never be out of the starting lineup again. I think he's that good.

I also believe that Seamus will wear down and eventually lose his position once again to a healthy Patterson.

I am also very optimistic about Garner. I think he's a Dyche-type player and will nail down his position once he gets a run of games.

I'm also optimistic that Dyche will get another level out of Godfrey and Patterson once he's had a chance to work with them properly.

I don't doubt he's a far better manager than Lampard but I still consider our team as one of the worst three teams in the league, hence not being overly optimistic.

And my optimism has been enhanced by the fact that a club just above us has replaced one of the best managers in the Premier League with, in the words of The Guardian, 'a 75-year-old man who has won just six of his most recent 34 top-flight games.'I think by the time we see Palace in late April, even their mushy-soft upcoming schedule will not have saved them.

Considering we have played Liverpool, Arsenal twice, and Chelsea in that period, it's not being too optimistic to think we could maintain that rate or even better it with the fixtures we have.

I'd rather have the points on the board than the games in hand so these are my reasons for being optimistic. Or do I need to take off my blue-tinted glasses?

#UTFT (I know that's a Twitter ‘thing', but another sign of our affection).

My wife is also a Blue, she has always been (she saw them at The Dell when Everton played against Southampton long before we met).

That could leave just 15 points left to try and pick up as much as we can. Can we get 3 wins and a draw so 10 points out these possible 15 points. Unlikely in my view.

Last year I pinpointed Newcastle at home as a must win. I remember when down for 10, playing shockingly bad and people saying to me, hope we don't lose and going mad and saying we MUST find a way to win if we are to have any chance of staying up. What a game that was, I i recall it more vividly than the Palace game because I was even more terrified before that game. Personally, I consider Spurs at home next exactly the same and just as critical as Newcastle match last season.

I admire the optimism but just don't share it. I'm not overly negative, but do consider (I hear what Mike says) we are one of the three worst sides. I can't get over we left ourselves so vulnerable with no signings. I repeat if Dyche keeps us up, what an unbelievable job he would have done.

Let's hope I'm badly wrong and we get 40 odd points.

Some thought Leeds would outpace and have too much for us.

Some predicted an inevitable defeat against Chelsea.

Well, we took 5 points from those 3 games.

We can beat Tottenham at Goodison. We can get enough points to do this.

Slightly off topic. Just watched the first episode of Grace. We know it's set in Brighton, but was your character's reference to “the Seagulls” in the script or clever football-related ad libbing?

Will be watching future episodes closely to see what other football references you work in - so no spoilers please!

I think Spurs and all our home games can be the key. Spurs, Fulham, Newcastle, Man City and Bournemouth. Fulham won't have their main man due to suspension. Spurs are not to be feared.

Not one of them teams will enjoy coming to Goodison with a full house rocking. like the back end of last year, when we all knew what was at stake. Make it hell for them to play here. Every foul, every tackle, every decision we need to hear that Goodison roar – it's frightening for opposition players.

I mean Palace last season was something else, but the Old Lady can still play her part in this season.

Southampton and Bournemouth will go down with 31 and 34 points respectively, whilst Everton, West Ham and Leicester will each have to rely on Goal Difference to keep them in the division, ending the campaign tied on 35 points.

Not very scientific, I admit, but it shows how tight it might be at the end of the season. The other four sides embroiled in the battle at the bottom, Palace, Wolves, Leeds and Forest would end the season on 37 points and safety.

Not a show I get to make lots of ad-libs in so far. Though I often try and get an Everton reference into the things I'm writing!

The connect between the players and the fans gets stronger and is a major factor,

We refuse to give in.

We can do this.

UTFT!

Let me assure you, there is only one club, at home anyway, to fear heading towards the end of the season, and that is Man City.

Spurs and Newcastle are nothing, anyone who fears those two no-mark clubs needs help! Why on earth should we fear either of them two? They are nothing, never have been, never will be top, top sides.

I liked Garner a lot in The Championship but have yet to see if he's capable of the step up. I agree he could well be and may prove a very Dyche-type of player. But he certainly doesn't have the athleticism that Onana has and I'd be surprised if the Belgian does not go on to have a career at the highest levels.

And yes, Coleman will presumably slow at some point. Patterson could benefit a lot from coaching under Dyche.

You a scriptwriter? Producer?

I agree regarding Garner. When asked about Garner's and Patterson's availability, Dyche has only said that they are "in and around it''...

Garner has made the subs bench. He really has not played that much yet to make a judgement and would need match time, against the background of other priorities.

I must admit, coming from Man Utd and being injured is a concern for me, given the past fruits of that relationship.

Onana is doing okay. With his runs into the box, he could be a further threat. He has the physicality too.

Patterson is not on the bench and Seamus is doing okay, with the forward threat improving. It will be a while before Patterson is under consideration.

We seem to have our very own Muslim brotherhood. They (Doucoure, Gana and Onana) feel at home and welcome here which is a great thing and reflects well on the club and the city.

He will need a run of games but I'm on the side that he will become a crowd favourite and fixture in the team.

“After a shaky start, he's been impressing in Ligue 2, establishing himself in the starting 11 and featuring in 89% of the minutes available thus far.

"He's earned that playing time too, racking up five assists and two goals in ten appearances so far and rave reviews from those who have been watching him.”

He seems a very spiritual person.

Not that it is relevant, but an all-Muslim midfield. I hadn't realised or even thought about that, but I don't judge people on religion. I don't wish to distract this thread, but I done an Open University module on Religion and it's influence on conflict a few years ago.

What struck me is that when you study it, the irony is how closely the 3 religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism are linked. Both in terms of roots and even to this day, beliefs. Just separated by different practices and interpretation. Jesus is recognised as one of the Islam prophets.

I'm Catholic, but I always recall how therapeutical the call to prayer sounding out from the minarets in places like Afghanistan was, even if it woke me before I intended to rise!

The comments about Salah and Mane show how the off-field relationships between players amongst on-pitch rivals continue, as they always have. As I like to say, keep the professional separate from the personal.

Great to see the club being supportive of their dietary requirements during Ramadan, as I'm sure others are.

He sounds like a well grounded individual as well as a decent footballer.

Really good article. I also like his reference to the UK / England. I don't hide from the challenges or issues facing our country, but we often beat ourselves up in my opinion. Reading between the lines, he feels more comfortable in the UK than in the country of his birth. France has a lot of issues and are not as integrated as we are.

Yes, very tight indeed. Are your calculations based on our season points per game or our points per game since Dyche arrived?

I see us improving, so I'm hoping we can manage an upturn in our figures and who we have already played under Dyche.

Even the smallest improvement could be crucial. A couple of draws where earlier in the season we were losing. Another victory against one of the Top 5.

These two games against Man City and Spurs will tell us just how close to the end of the season it's going to go…

Thanks for the link. Gives a real sense of Doucoure the man, which we as fans seldom get to see and reflects well on him.

Although the commencement of Ramadan today is a real concern. Because the fasting element creates a real difficulty for all elite Muslim athletes in maintaining their normal high fitness levels.

Given that it could impact our entire midfield, we can only hope they don't run out of steam during this critical phase of the season, particularly as you can't get a feeler guage between the whole bottom half of the table. 🤞

I see we have three matches during Ramadan: Spurs [h], ManUre [a], Fulham [h], and then we visit Palace the day after Ramadan ends. I'm sure Dyche will be monitoring the players & may need to make more changes to the midfield before or during matches.

Yes, Garner's not had much chance to shine yet in the Premier League. Personally, I think he has slightly less potential than Onana but, if he does well, he could become our own Ward-Prowse.

I'm not totally convinced he will become a Top 10 player but then we are not a Top 10 team yet so it could be a match made in heaven.

I think Garner may struggle to have an impact this season now, as Dyche seems to have settled on his first XI. Calvert-Lewin may change that, yet I don't see him changing his starting midfielders unless injuries or suspension force it on him.

It takes game time to get fully fit for the Premier League, games that we are running out of. Yes, he may be used from the bench, but I think it will be next season we see a fully fit Garner.

I'll be watching the TV schedules closely over Easter. Any mention of “The Holy Trinity” and I'll know Sam has been involved.

Similarly, any programmes with titles such as “knife to a gunfight”, “A boys pen” or “You've had some good times” and we'll know who is responsible without checking the credits.

There is little doubt that since Dyche's arrival, our prospects have improved quite a bit. For example, after Lampard's last game in charge, we were heading – using points per game earned up to that period – for a final total of 29 points which would have put us in the Bottom 3.

Southampton were heading for the same total, with Bournemouth and Wolves tied on 32 points. Crystal Palace and Forest are the biggest fallers since that weekend, as they were set for 46 and 40 points respectively.

A big issue for him will be whether he is solid enough defensively in the Premier League for a tough, hard-to-beat Sean Dyche Everton team.

Garner and Patterson are in the England U21s and Scotland squad and should have a couple of more games under their belts. I'm hoping Patterson comes back unscathed, considering most of his injuries have happened on international duty.

I take issue with your assertion that all three religions are linked in beliefs.

Yes, Islam regards Jesus as a phrophet, but for Christians he is God incarnate and to lower him to the same as any other human is an insult.

But while Jews and Muslims see salvation (being in heaven after death) as something that you earn by doing good things and not doing bad things, salvation for a Christian is solely based on the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and nothing that we do of ourselves, except accept that salvation and therefore a totally different belief to the other two.

As a Christian, I am trusting in what I believe and the promises of the Bible and therefore will die knowing I am going to heaven (and if it is all untrue, what have I lost?) but our midfield will die wondering, have I done enough?

That food I ate in April 2023 so I was carb-loaded before that match with Spurs, will that stop me getting to heaven? I am glad the God Christians worship is one of Compassion, Grace and Love.

Shame so many of his followers mar his image but we are humans and singular which is why Jesus needs to save us.

Yes, hopefully, we are heading upwards as the likes of Forest, Palace, West Ham, and even Leicester are heading downward.

Just Dyche getting a tiny bit more from what he has already improved on would be sufficient, in my opinion.

Like football, religion is contentious and divisive.

Everton fans argue like the People's Front of Judea and the Judean People's Front. All on the same side with different views.

Catholics, Protestants and Eastern Orthodox.

Sunni and Shia.

Jesus was a Jew long before Christianity was recognised and was called a Rabbi.

The religions are historically linked. They and their various different flavours went different ways, but they are linked.

Lent, Yom Kippur and Ramadan. They all have, or traditionally had, a form of fasting.

Anyway, I do enough fasting on match day when I barely eat.

Are these Yom Kippurs anything like Manx Kippurs? I'll have some of them if they are! :-)

The only Manx I know are the ones that used to worship on the Kippurx.

I will definitely need my coat.

Phil #98, a bit inaccurate there... "salvation" is not a Jewish concept. We do traditionally believe that mitvahs (good deeds) get you into heaven, but we don't need to be "saved" if we don't perform them. (I wish I could believe that Netanyahu will deep-fry in hell, but Judaism doesn't allow for that.)

DK #100, Yom Kippur is about repenting your sins. It's just one day, but from what I've heard, if you decide to convert, you'd better call ahead for at least a week's reservation. ;-))

Danny #87, as a Marine AFC supporter I am reveling in the fact that the club's leading scorer this season is the brilliant Sol Solomon. With 13 goals, he is an absolute lox for player of the year. (I'll get me coat, or rather my talis.)

I hope someone amongst them is trying to help Dele Alli, as he seems to be a troubled soul.

(Explicit language)

Link

I'd run to the ends of the earth and rather die than lose after hearing that pre-game talk.

Defo a man after my own heart. Go fuck their shit up!

I do think Sean Dyche is doing this, in his own way, with this squad and I love it.

I don't hero worship anyone, but if I did, he would certainly qualify.

Completely understand that sentiment and viewpoint. Wooden was an absolute legend. Mike Krzyzewski is another in that mold I'd think, and he was equally brilliant.

Different strokes. I just love it when a coach fires his players up with a slew of obscenities and a kill or be killed message. Just gets my blood pumping.

Superb stuff, he expresses what my son and his mates are achieving in coaching their sons - effort, determination, respect, perspective.

Thank you.

Another quiet coach I liked was Bob Paisley (yes, I know). Incredibly successful, and a bit forgotten by the football masses. Of course, he was from the period before football was invented by Sky.

@Peter 116. Glad you looked him up, and very pleased that your son and friends are concentrating on instilling good values in their coaching, just as Wooden did. I wish them success.

It's early days, but I feel that Sean Dyche is the type of coach who incorporates similar messages in his coaching, and we will reap the benefits. I am very confident we will be safe at the end of the season.

I'm sure I heard a story about Don Howe putting a fresh kit for every player in an ice box when Wimbledon were playing Liverpool, at Wembley and the pitch-side temperature was allegedly around 100 degrees.

When the players came in at half-time, he then told everyone to strip off and sit there quietly for 5 minutes before he introduced this nice freezing cold fresh kit.

Innovation and calmness wins the day because, if you haven't got a natural fire within, I honestly don't think you would be in the position in the first place.

As a further thought on the ethos of different coaches, I wonder if players going on to the field of play "pumped up", would have control of their emotions, and be prone to unacceptably aggressive behaviour. I would prefer them to be a team of ice cold assassins during play, saving their extreme emotions for appropriate moments, scoring goals, winning games, and trophies.

Just my view, of course.

Howard Kendall was a man under severe pressure when he opened the window of the Stoke City changing rooms and told his players to listen to the thousands of Evertonians who had come to cheer on the team. This period then turned into the most beautiful time of our Evertonian lives for many of us!

Oh dear, where to start! I have several books about John Wooden, and they are all worth having. Perhaps you could research these and get a feeling of those that appeal to you.

Wooden - A lifetime of observations and Reflections on and off the Court.

Wooden on Leadership.

Wooden with Jack Tobin - They call me Coach.

The Essential Wooden. (My favourite)

Ironically, just perusing the books while typing, I came across one of his quotations that related to the original subject about pumping up the players – "If you let your emotions take over, you'll be outplayed".

To be honest, I think any book on John Wooden's life and philosophy is worth the cost and effort.

Hope you find something you like.

I'm busy myself I've only watched the first few minutes, but Wooden comes across a bit like Arsenal Wenger, another great man who I think is full of intelligence?

Thanks James, another common sense quote imo, and it probably explains a lot about Brian Clough, although because Clough never usually said much, (didn't believe in filling a players brain with too many instructions) you had to work it out for yourself.

It was the bit about not letting your emotions take over which resonated the most with me though James, because I remember when my old school mate Eddie Youds, who played for Everton a few times, told me he always hated playing against Forest.

When I asked him why, he said it was because you could never get any Forest players to engage. When you're not playing well, and the other team is on top of you, sometimes a hard tackle or a dirty foul, is enough to engage most teams, but not Forest he told me, because whilst you're preparing for a little argument or a shoving match, someone else had already taken the free kick.

It's all about discipline, and when you have discipline, you will always find another way to skin the cat, and staying on this subject, I think it's noticeable how much more disciplined Everton have suddenly become under Sean Dyche.👏

Brian Clough, the things he achieved at Derby and Forest was quite simply remarkable. While other clubs could outspend both Derby and Forest, the football his sides produced given most of his players were cast offs from other clubs was exceptional. I don't think you can mention Brian Clough without mentioning Peter Taylor, who had a good eye for a player.

Clough never ever used poor refereeing decisions as an excuse as to why his team may have lost a game. which is very rare in managers today, who tend to blame everybody rather than themselves when their team loses. Thats not to say Derby or Forest didnt get physical at times, but his players knew if they were sent off Clough would never appeal it.

My biggest regret is that John Moores wasnt brave enough to sign Clough, as he would have laid down a legacy similar to what Shankly and Paisley did at Liverpool.

James (123) No need for apologies James it's just an age thing and I'm a nuisance for attention to detail so no worries there James.

Clough was clever, very clever, and if he didn't criticize referees, it must have kept him in a lot of officials good books?

Remember that fraud Clattenberg, and the minute Ferguson left United, Liverpool got three penalties in one game at old Trafford?

Actions always speak louder than words, but whilst Ferguson was more abrasive, I think Clough, just skinned the cat in a different way, and was probably a lot more subtle, with the way he respected the referee.

My players won't give you any problems ref, so don't give me any please!

What next, Northants. Town?!

I think you and I have similar views on football, and I think we are around the same age actually today is my 75th birthday. I wont do a Yaya Toure and ask where my cake is. Dave I think our age group have witnessed the best of Everton, I just hope the youngsters in a few years to come get to at least see us win one trophy.

I'm a bit older than you Brian but you are correct we have both seen the very best of football from Everton and we do have similar views on how game is played or should be played and like you I wish the very best for our brilliant younger supporters who have never seen the Blues win a trophy and some of them are thirty or even older, the longest period we have ever gone without looking at a cup at the end of a season.