🎙ToffeeWeb Podcast: ‘Numb’

I've rarely disliked so many of our players. They just have no heart, professional pride or a strong mentality.

Obviously I hope we stay up. I'm desperate that we stay up. But objectively: what for? So we can go to Anfield, Old Trafford and Arsenal next season and get beat? Grab a draw at home v Liverpool? Get knocked out of the cups by lower tier teams? What's the point?

We don't play entertaining football

We don't punch above our weight

We don't even ever spring a surprise by winning at the Etihad or even the mighty Spurs,

The fact we barely ever win away at the big clubs is proof we are pathetically weak in our mentality.

What is the point? We're crap and have been for ages and play crap ineffective football.

We live on our name. As an Everton fan there's been so many more disappointments than high points.

You are far from alone in questioning what lies in store for us if we do stay up. Very likely it will be more of the same until such time we can improve the squad. In the meantime we must hope Dyche can win enough points from the next seven matches with the players he has been left with.

Andy, it was indeed flat.

A passive performance resulted in a passive crowd inside the stadium. It was a strange subdued atmosphere outside the ground before the match. You could feel it.

At the end it was submissive. No comparison to Brentford and Norwich away last season when fury erupted.

Do not play 4-4-2. We are wide open. It doesn't work. Not with these players, not in the modern game of Premier League football. Look at the players we have and play 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1. Do not play 4-4-2.

Sadly, the change at the top of the club on the back of the lessons that should have been learned last season didn't happen. We are here again. Change has to happen regardless of where our fate takes us.

More immediate on the pitch concerns. We are missing Doucoure. Can DCL hit the ground running? What is actually Ben Godfrey's position? All valid questions.

There was a lot of discussion about the Everton defence. I personally think that is harsh when you consider there is no cover or protection in front of them from a wide open midfield?

Which leads me to Mykolenko. What options are in front of him and the defence? They look up and there is little available. So he gets caught in two minds. He, like others, is a young player. He has shown what he can do. Those present or who watched will know that from his intelligent pass into Doucoure for a clever layoff to set up Simms at Stamford Bridge. He needs options as do the rest of the defence. Otherwise they will get caught and pressed or simply punt it back to the oposition.

Defenders look better when they have options in front of them. To focus on the defence is inviting trouble and the inevitable. Attack is the best form of defence.

We have a lot of young players having to develop in an unstable situation and often playing out of position. The continuous managerial merry go round has compounded that and probably impacted several players' development.

On travel, like the panel and many others, I have put the miles in over the years and continue to do so. I am no martyr, just someone who enjoys going to watch football and Everton.

I sat with Fulham supporters on the journey back to Euston on Saturday holding my own despite my wounded pride. It can be tough but I can't complain.

On the subject of trips. In better times, my most memorable was to Carrow Road in May 1987 when we clinched the League Title. That was a long day on the coach to watch 90 minutes of football. I think it was 6 hours each way. But my word, it was worth every single minute that I will never forget. I can still hear very loudly "hand it over Liverpool".

I too have lived in Germany and go back every year. Football wise, sadly only to watch Schalke until Everton get back into Europe.

Saturday was depressing, made only enjoyable by the gathering on County Road with many regulars from this site, some of who will gather again at Selhurst Park this coming Saturday. Safe travels all.

We are still in this. We can still control our destiny.

Palace away sold out.

Newcastle home sold out.

Leicester away sold out.

Brighton away sold out.

Tickets for City available on general sale from tomorrow. They will go like rocking horse shit. You'll have to be quick.

It goes without saying, this current regime really don't deserve us. But it is not their club.

God forbid we compete to be successful again.