Goals Win Games

It’s a sign of how desperate I feel that I write this after only one game of the 2023-24 season. Normally I would wait for at least 4 or 5 games before making a judgement. But after yesterday, I don’t think anyone at Everton can see what we are missing. 

We have now played 39 games without a goal scorer. The definition of madness is keep doing the same thing and expecting different outcomes. Then it confirms that there is a “madness acceptance” at Goodison Park and I dread the thought that Sean Dyche has caught this state of mind. I really hope not as he is no football fool. 

There’s no point in keeping doing the same thing, ie, playing Maupay, waiting for Calvert-Lewin, hoping that Chermiti is the answer to our prayers. We need to generate a decent amount of money within Profitability and Sustainability limits to buy a £30 million-plus goalscorer.

To do that, we have only one or two saleable assets that can generate that amount of money – Pickford or Onana. I ask the question: Which of those two regularly make a difference to the result? It’s Jordan Pickford.

So that leaves Amadou Onana, who had a good game yesterday but didn’t really make a difference. So I would look to sell him to whoever wants him for as much money as possible. Don’t wait – do it this week… but this Everton and we know that won’t happen. But, with 37 games to go, even with Calvert-Lewin playing (injury permitting), we are already in the proverbial shit.

I really don’t think we would think this as a bad move if we were able to get in someone who could put the ball in the back of the net. Would we miss Onana? Yes, we might complain that we are now a “selling club” but who really gives a shit?

I find the criticism of Onana a bit baffling to be honest. He faded second half without a doubt but I thought first half everything good that we did came through him.

He's by far the best passer in our midfield and turned defence into attack really well. He also created some of our best chances.

At a different time and place, he would become top midfielder with physique, skill and speed. The key words are “will become”. We need now!

We can't blame bad luck for Doucoure missing a guilt edged sitter or Patterson not being able to slot into an empty net when the goalkeeper is on the floor flailing, it's bad finishing not bad luck.

If we'd had Lukaku of 2015-17 playing for us then we'd have won that game 4-0.

When you sit there and pretend that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who hasn't been able to play 6 games on the spin since Carlo Ancelotti was here, will all of a sudden be fit for the rigours of the Premier League, then you might as well just throw the towel in.

Three points dropped, a bad start, and we badly missed McNeil. Leno was Fulham's best player, but Doucoure and Patterson should both have scored. I particularly worry about Patterson – I'd much rather play Seamus when he's fit, or Garner like we did at the end of last season.

Ashley Young was good, as was Iwobi in the first half. That lung-busting run down the left was sensational, and deserved to end in a goal.

Tough times ahead, but we knew that would be the case.

I thought Young gave a composed performance at left-back. In contrast Patterson was anything but composed. Supposedly his ability as an attacking full-back made him an obvious long-term replacement for the sadly missed Seamus.

We have yet to see an assist or a goal. His crossing is generally poor. Defensively he looks unconvincing in the tackle and wayward in his positioning. At present his best attribute is his ability in the air in wide attacking areas where he can link effectively with Garner.

Garner himself showed some deft touches but seems unable to complete a 90-minute stint in midfield. In my mind, he might at present be better used in a right-back berth.

While Gana was his usually workaholic self in the midfield, Onana flitted in and out of the game, playing some excellent passes but then disappearing from view. He is another for whom goal scoring must become part of his skill set if he is to fulfil his ambition to be a top player.

Iwobi looked our most potent attacker but as we know his goal tally is well below that expected of an attacking midfielder. Doucouré's early miss rather set the tone for the afternoon. He is one of several players in our team for whom time to think about his next action can prove an embarrassment. Maupay is another.

As always in the Premier League, it is important not to permit one loss becoming the start of a run of consecutive defeats, especially at the beginning of a season. Our next opponents, Aston Villa, will doubtless feel likewise after their thrashing at Newcastle.

Danny, You must encounter some right iffy away fans returning back to the smoke.

We looked threatening in transition, especially in the first half. Once we went a goal down, we haven't got enough quality to break teams down.

The jury is out on Patterson. I haven't seen anything attacking or defensively from him to suggest he is a long-term replacement for Coleman.

We can't afford to sell anyone with the lack of depth in the current squad. Gray going will be a blow, he isn't a world beater but is a threat, which is more than can be said for most of the squad.

Garner should start every game. Full-back, righ-mid or centre-mid, the lad looks class. I would have taken Gana off before him yesterday.

Cannon also needed to come on. He needs a run in the team, we know Maupay's limitations.

The Arkles used to be my local years ago, long before they destroyed it with all the shite paraphernalia. World famous, my arse.

Thanks for the report, Danny, I really enjoyed it. Unfortunate to come across a scumbag, probably has the hard life he deserves. You will be free for a while having got your quota.

But Ashley Williams? Are you trying to give me nightmares Danny? Just teasing, maybe you can edit that typo.

On a positive note that may turn the season around, Chris Wright of ESPN Toe Poke has ranked Everton's kit the 4th best in the Premier League. (I'm glad that I'll be buying a respected fashion statement.) The RS are 11th.

Noticed Chelsea and Forest both wearing kits with no ugly sponsor logo this weekend, nice throwback.

100% pass accuracy
18 touches
15/15 passes completed
3/3 long balls completed
3 key passes
2 big chances created

Brilliant half. MotM at that point. Stats provided by @statmandave @Everton_Extra.

We need a few things to go right otherwise confidence will dive and it will be that much harder as we go on. It is a catastrophic failure not to have a seasoned striker and who cares if it's a one season striker? There is no point building for a future if it's going to be in the championship, so bite the bullet and get cover, a target man.

For me, Dyche got this badly wrong. Garner was 20 yards behind the goal scorer, he is not a wide player. Onana and Doucoure, pick one, not both. The hole in the centre of midfield is scary. Neither creates enough..Iwobi needs to be in the middle... if anywhere.

There was an air of inevitability about it all, Keane.. no.. Patterson cannot make my mind up about him.. Young is an astute signing, Harrison too..the young lad Chemati has great skill, but is he ready for the Premier league?

I feel as though we are only half a team, with a manager only half as good as we would like. But in reality, he is exactly what we need right now. I think there are several players still to go, Holgate, Keane, Gray with question marks over Iwobi, Onana, Maupay and Cannon.

Make no mistake, this is a sodding difficult time for supporters made worse by the total dereliction of duty by the chairman and owner, scapegoating the board was inevitable, but we are only a couple of months away from the independent commission, how long will it sit? How long will it be before a decision? How long before investment or sale is back on the table. We are still a club in trouble, but Dyche needs wins and he needs to change.

Were we playing a better team than Fulham on Saturday we would have lost. So the omens are not good. Midfield needs to be sorted, and obviously we need a striker who can score. But with the clock running down on the transfer window, no money and players to off load our options are very limited. Not a good start to the season !

David. We did lose.🤦🏼‍♂️

He played a big part in us staying up last season when given a run in the team. His goal v Bournemouth was probably worth 100m to the club and saved us from spiralling out of control. He isn't the best on the ball but like everyone else in the squad we need to replace them before selling. The squad is weak enough.

Play like that every week with DCL or somebody similar up top and we will be well up the table.

Keane and Gray both had a hand in or scored vital goals that kept us up for the last two seasons.

Dyche wont sell Keane, Gray either wants to leave or Dyche doesnt see him in his style of play, I'll be sorry to lose him.

We are trying to sign a centre forward type but they have to want to come here also which I suspect is the reason they havnt snared one yet.

The African Cup is a bummer, its going to rip the middle of our team out, we are a little threadbare anyway without that happening.

Then theres the complication of some players contracts being run down, who would want to control a club.

I don't expect anything off them given how they have treated us, but at least show some respect and listen to us because we care deeply. The first cut is the deepest as the song goes.

Just communicate with us. We are not naive enough to know we make the decisions. But we have followed this club through everything all of our lives and will do for the rest of our lives. Long before they were here. Long after they are gone.

For us it is a marriage. Through better or worse as the traditional wedding vow goes. For them we are a commodity. A cash cow. Although we have been so badly run, they haven't managed to capitalise on the potential that is Everton Football Club.

I'm not saying us mortals will call the shots, but listen, communicate and maybe, just maybe, they will learn from those who know the club best. Those loyal supporters. Sorry to get dramatic on a Monday morning, but as a studier of history, right now, they are reminding me of the last days of Hitler's regime and a bunker mentality and ignoring what is happening around them.

I forgot to mention, I invited a travelling blue from the Midlands into my taxi. Once again, I found a Kopite driver. Every time. If it's not away supporters on the train, it's Kopite taxi drivers from Lime Street. Plenty of good humour and banter though! He actually wished us well. Devil's curse!

Apologies for the mistake Neil, I didn't want to worry anyone about Ashley Williams. Fortunately the editors have already corrected me.

It's the first game and plenty of positives to take away.

The obvious lack of a killer striker, and some descision making cost Everton.

But I hope v Villa there's a positive reaction and who knows, a few more deals may be edging to completion.

UTFTs!

But there's a reality and the fight to succeed is

I’ll definitely miss the companionship inside Goodison, although it’s not very often that I agree with my older brother when talking about Everton though. Maybe I don’t criticize players, for not being good enough, just as long as they work hard, whereas he will just say they are fuckin shite, but I’m not going into that ground until there is change at the top, even though I love going to Goodison Pk.

I went to work for a few hours after the game and met one Evertonian, who was from Belfast. I hope my passionate speech stirred him because he said he goes to every home and away game from Ireland, doesn’t miss, loves the blues, but he told me he his close to becoming a broken man, with regards Everton.

This man told me he spends over £15 thousand a year, watching Everton, and sometimes I don’t think certain people inside the club, realise how lucky they are to have such fantastic and dedicated fans?

Kenwright’s seat being empty doesn’t sit pretty with me either, especially when he’s got the temerity to turn up at away grounds, whilst continuing to perpetrate a myth that he helped to invent.

What an absolute fraud the man is. Seemingly adored by the people who he has helped to look after, but no longer loved by the people he once kidded. Has it always been about yourself, Mr Kenwright?

That effin referee! I'm sure he blew the whistle for a foul because it was us! Tarkie just stood there and the goalie climbed on his back. If they are going to allow more referee decisions to stand without recourse to VAR, then this referee is too pompous to use it when it's needed then var isn't doing it's job due to the ref.

Deflated, going home as we made enough clear chances to to have scored between two and five. I think the criticism of the manager is a bit unfair except he could have put Dobbin on earlier, to replace Maupe, who I think had a decent game, excep for not putting one of his chances away, though I think their goalie had something to do with that, he was excellent. It doesn't look like it's ever going to happen for poor Maupe. Thus the urgent, (Vital) need for a goalscorer.

I think more than anything, I saw how easily our midfield and defence were split wide open for their goal yesterday. Hardly any of our players were in their position. Keane was marking no one, neither Mitrovitch, or the player behind him. Patterson run across the goal to try and mark the lad who Mitrovitch passed to. Garner hadn't tracked back to mark the lad who eventually scored who had no one near him and could have laid down and blew it in!, Doucouré and Onana were somewhere round the left wing near the half way line.

I thought Doucouré, who does this too often for me, missed a golden opportunity when he had a player free on either side of him and ran it into the goalie. We had players free, either side of him inside their six yard box near enough and he elects to run it into their goalie...schoolboyish. Patterson misses and equally clear chance. So we could have been 3 or 4 up without them scoring and the need for someone like a Vardy, is vital.

The problem is that we don't have the money (well, I think that's the problem!) to go out and buy one to do the most critical job of all that we need. I don't know if we've got that lad Harrison yet, but I hope we have as he looks a proper player, and Young seems a good fit as left back, and along with the other players he's brought in we've improved the squad...except for a player we need most...

So if I'm right, we'll have to sell some player/s to enable us to get the man in who can do the job of goalscorer.

I think we also need someone who is a ready made right full back because I don't think Patterson is ready for the first team yet and Seamus, well, can he last a season?...hopefully.So who do we sell. Well Onana is the most saleable asset, (except maybe for Pickford.) Yes, he probably is a star for the future. But we're in the mire now and what position do we need filling the most, and who will raise sufficient money for us to fill that post, and possibly allow the management some leeway to fill other posts. If Iwobi has not signed a contract then, would it be better to get some money for him now, rather than let him run his contract down. Is Gana Gueye off to SauDi, as one paper reports?

So all in all, our management team have a lot of problems to solve with little or no money without selling; and hopefully seeing off those getting loads of money for just sitting on the bench

I think the players we have brought in and hopefully, Harrison, are a good start.

I don't think we will see the major recruitment we want and need until theres a tinkle of coinage in the till, from a sale or two. So we;ve got another two weeks or so, probably until the last few days of the window, before I'll start feeling postive about this season again!

I thought, like you, we deserved to win with the many chances scorned that should have given us a two or three goal victory.

The squad is not completed yet, more to come and some to go, Dominic hopefully ready to come in and stay in.

Kim(16), stats ? Pity they don’t show how many times players go missing, never mind your eyes will tell you, I don’t know where you sit at Goodison but from my view in The Upper Bullens Road stand Onana went missing as often as usually does for long periods of the game the game, what is his job, he doesn’t get into the opposition penalty area very often nor does he defend in our penalty area very much.

I can see his potential but he doesn’t use it very often and has to absolutely be involved in the game a lot more than he does.

He played in most games last season, what did he provide in them, one goal, how many assists? In the Derby game at Anfield he was substituted after a poor game, as for his age the MOTM in that game was an 18 year old Liverpool centre midfield player playing in his first season of premier league football.

How is Onana a value to the team now? Not in the future,now. If he becomes the player some on here say he will undoubtfully become and try to tell me and other fans they told us he would become I’lltell he wasn’t very good or much use to Everton while he was here,unless of course he starts putting in performances that provide goals and maybe score one or two himself.

I haven’t even mentioned his heading ability, for such a tall player he’s very effective there either is he?Or am I not seeing how good he is there?

It wasn't an ideal start losing our first game at home and having our pockets picked by Fulham.

The players put the effort in, and I agree with others that Onana faded and has the potential to be our midfield dynamo.

The number of chances we missed obviously cost us the game, but the goalkeeper incident where we scored, should have stood. Even Mike Dean thought that the misjudgment by the goalkeeper, was his fault alone,and it was perfectly good goal.

I think that season Dyche knows what is required regarding recruitment and tactics and with a few weeks to go in the transfer window, we will strengthen we’re it matters. Bring on Villa.

You are amazing, hardly miss a game home or away and, apart from the London game,s it must cost you a fortune in rail fares – never mind the time away from home.

I can't agree with you over Patterson; he and Godfrey always look like rabbits in the headlights when in possession. He went missing for their goal and Willian had him on toast, he must have been delighted he didn't come out for the 2nd half.

I have never been impressed with Onana, I can't think of an Everton midfield player who goes missing as much as he does, and it's not just the Fulham game – its all of them.

Yes, he did make 2 nice passes, one that Doucoure should have converted. But if you are playing central midfield you have to be the driving force not go missing for large chunks of the game. I could well imagine if he had played with the likes of Bobby Collins, Tony Kay or latterly Peter Reid they would have let him know pretty quickly that he needed to do a lot more.

As your post says, goals win games and, for a couple of seasons, we have really struggled in that department. I know many say if we create the same number of chances in other games, then we will convert more than we did on Saturday.

But the reason that we only scored 34 goals last season is this squad lacks goalscorers. Iwobi puts in a real shift but his goal return is awful, and none of our midfield players don't shoot never mind score – that includes Onana, Garner and Gana; Doucouré scores every Preston Guild.

That leaves us with McNeil, last season's top scorer with 7 – yes, unbelievably… 7 – that says everything you need to know about why this team has struggled for the last 2 seasons.

What have we done to remedy this problem? Signed a full-back and a winger who isn't known for his goal scoring. Yet are prepared to go into another season with our main striker with an appalling injury record.

I think he is a luxury that at this time, and I think we need a younger Gueye or Peter Reid type (preferably who can shoot!) and who realises he has to cover our penalty area and get up to the oppositions as well. In such an important position, I think we need a dominating midfielder now and we need the best goalscorer we can get, that money might allow us to do so.

ps: Brian, you're spot on. Bobby Collins or Tony Kay would be tearing strips off him every match, let alone Jimmy Gabriel!

With it only taking a second to score a goal, then some forwards might get away with not always concentrating and being in the game. But it's different for every other player, and this collective lack of concentration cost Everton when too many players switched off just before Fulham scored.

I think Dyche would sell Onana if a good enough offer comes in. We will see, just as long as it's not a last-minute deal that doesn't give us enough time to spend some much needed money on replacements.

What struck me was the brutality of the tackling, Leeds especially... frankly how the hell players made the game the following week, I will never know.

Back to the Premier League... it was awful for the exact opposite: players diving, feigning injury, no tackling... We have reached a game that resembles 5-a-side, two-touch, no contact. It's skilful and fast but no longer a contest.

In the past, teams would counter skill with endeavor, or force... now? No chance – it's gone too far the other way. Teams no longer can level a playing field. Money buys skill; endeavour is no longer enough.

Which brings me back to our club... the skill gulf is immense, how do we compete?

Unbelievable, considering Keane was onside when the cross came in, and also the Fulham goalkeeper was the last player to touch the ball before Keane put it away.

I think I counted our ten outfield players in our half but hardly any were in position to combat their moves. I mentioned it in my first post, that Doucouré and Onana were somewhere round the half way line towards our left hand side, and Garner was walking back but far to late to catch up to their scorer. Keane, left the middle and was stood in no mans land, half way between Mitrovitch and the lad who passed the ball from Mitrovitch to the Goalscorer.

It was a good move by them and well executed, but their goalscorer could have sat down and had a cuppa before he scored as Patterson was trying to get to the other side of the goal.

So most of our players were out of the game and I'd have thought the central midfielders were vital in organising the players and they were nowhere to be seen in the centre.

Thats how it looked to me and I think your Dad said it and I agree, we need a midfield General. Onana doesn't do it nor does Doucouré. I know I've gone on about just one goal, but that won them the game.

I saw a comment before about Maupay's problem is not having someone like Trossard in support. He could have Messi in support and that 2-legged stool couldn't find the net.

I'm actually starting to feel a bit sorry for the lad being put in a position he's clearly not qualified for. I wouldn't mind if he was a bit of a nasty shit, snapping into defenders all the time, but he doesn't even do that. Has anyone checked to see if he's related to Brett Angell?

The first half-an-hour was embarrassingly poor, we couldn't string 3 passes together. But in that time we had 4 or 5 great chances. We had more of the ball in the second half, but don't create as much. Work that one out? It's the same story: pass-pass-pass… shit, what do I do now? Chip it into the corner and hope for the best.

Talking of chipping it, can someone in training please teach this lot to whip a cross in with pace and a low trajectory? How many corners does Iwobi need to take where it floats in aimlessly like a kebab being lobbed across Bold Street before someone says "Leave it out"?

If Dermot Gallagher agreed with most other people and thought Everton were robbed of a goal, then it's not suddenly going to help give us a precious point, so the only point for having him give everyone his opinion is to keep people talking about the game.

Yes, I agree Everton are likely to be in a lot of games like this, even against the likes of Fulham. There are no easy marks in the Premier League so get used to it.

We cannot say if Chermiti, Harrison or Danjuma will make a big difference, but we are all hoping they will, and quickly.

Wind up merchants, has-beens and wannabes... the worst thing is they have a captured audience.

Somewhere along the line, the Sky bubble will burst. A breakaway Super League in Europe makes the Premier League second tier, lesser value to the paying public.

We can't go back to how it was but surely the future has peaked?

Keane was offside because the keeper was ahead of him and only 1 player was between Keane and the goal, and the ball came off Tarkowski's hand last.

All very technical, but I suppose he is correct. To be fair, he did say it wasn't a foul and the ref shouldn't have blown before the goal was scored, let the VAR sort it out.

My eyes aren't quite as good as they were, but watching the highlights on Everton OS, I thought there were two Fulham players between Keane and the goal, not including the keeper.

Anyway it's gone now, another one to add to the ever growing number of 50-50, 60-40 decisions that tend to go against Everton, strangely mostly at Goodison.

It would be highly unusual for Dermot Gallagher to support his referee cronies.

I also saw a few negative comments on Patterson for their goal. I said to my lad at the time why is he virtually in the left-back position when they score? But watching it back, he had no choice but to come across because the centre-backs had gone missing and it was down to Garner not tracking back that the lad was left in so much space at the back post.

I heard that Man Utd are waiting for our valuation of Onana. I would like him to stay, because I think everyone can see that he is developing rapidly, and I have little doubt that, if he progresses along in the same way, and stays largely injury free, he will become a top midfielder, and we could expect to see a valuation in the £60-80 million range next summer.

But, our need is now, and if Thelwell can structure a deal with Scott McTominay coming in exchange plus some £10-15 million in cash, then that would be a great piece of business for us. McTominay and Garner playing as a midfield pair, allowing the likes of McNeil, Iwobi, Danjuma, Doucoure, Harrison (and hopefully, Dele Alli) to play in support of Calvert-Lewin, Chermiti and hopefully 1 of Ekitike, Beto or even Che Adams would make us quite competitive.

Calvert-Lewin
McNeil Iwobi Harrison
McTominay Garner
Young Tarkowski Keane Patterson
Pickford

With Danjuma, Chermiti, Che Adams, Dobbin, Gana, Doucoure, Mykolenko, Branthwaite on the bench, would do fine for me.

Tony, Carl was great. His wife even better. Never argue with a Scouse woman is what I was told and it's true! Off to the Brick he went with his tail between his legs having being given a few lectures!

Jim, I'll never tire from the tales and stories. It's what I was brought up on and keeps us going. My son and youngest brother have to endure it from me now about the 80s.

Brian & Tony, I dread to think of the cost but I don't look at it or care about it. I think the wife does. Well, I know she does as we have those conversations often. "How much do you spend on Everton?" is often the question. I change the subject, but she's no fool.

Dave, always a privilege to visit the homeland. Hopefully catch you at the next one.

Andy & Mike G, make sure you let me know so we can meet up.

Brian, I've said before, it's going to be emotional leaving Goodison and the time is coming. My West Midlands relatives who support Liverpool were up last week and visited Goodison, sending a photo by Dixie's statue. Nice touch.

Tony, even if I have to stand outside, you are going to Goodison before we move.

Our club, not his or theirs.

As some say, the referee should have let play continue and then let the VAR decide whether Keane is offside or not? But for me, he definitely looks onside.

I've looked at Rod Belfit, Bernie Wright, Alan Bailey, Mick Ferguson, John Spencer (I'm sure they're a few more).
Aside from John Spencer, who didn't score in his 9 appearances, all others had a better scoring rate than Neal Maupay's 1 in 30.

Happy to be corrected if anyone can identify a poorer performance.

Admittedly, Maupay stands out as being very unfortunate to:
a) Be playing in a team that doesn't suit him
b) Be so low on confidence that the harder he tries, the more that seems to go against him.

No player deserves some of the despicable messages that he has been sent at the weekend and no player should have their family come into that type of ugly messaging on social media.

Everton and Neal Maupay are right to point out abhorrent online abuse

Mickey Walsh, Gordon Lee's big signing from Blackpool only scored 1 league goal in God knows how many appearances. I saw it too – away at Villa.

According to Wiki, Mickey Walsh scored 1 in 21 appearances for us…. Abysmal – but it appears that we've seen worse!

Barry #49,

Yes, I meant Alan Biley. I agree, nobody deserves any type of abuse. Also, I agree that the team set-up doesn't suit Neal Maupay – which makes the decision to buy him even more of a mystery as it didn't suit him then either.

On the other hand, I might get a proposition from Susannah Reid before then.

Ours was a more serious defeat as we were at home and against allegedly weaker opposition. I hope Villa were traumatised by their defeat at Newcastle, but even then we'll need one of our 30-yard screamers to actually score a goal.