Report Blues rally late to survive a huge rock-bottom scare Everton went behind to Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup and needed strikes from two new signings to avoid a most embarrassing defeat. Michael Kenrick 30/08/2023 185comments (last) Doncaster Rovers 1 - 2 Everton Everton, who sit bottom of the Premier League, travelled to Doncaster Rovers tonight for a Round 2 encounter in the Carabao Cup with the team that is rock bottom of the Football League, and they trailed the home side for most of the game. But key changes at half-time finally saw a turnaround with goals from new signings Beto and Danjuma winning the tie. Sean Dyche has not done much by way of squad rotation, with only Mykolenko and Godfrey as fresh faces, with Chermiti getting his first start, and new signing Beto on the bench. Everton tried to create their own peril from the start when Pickford almost gave away a backpass in the opening minute. They tried to remedy things with quick balls forward that were easily soaked up by the home side. Everton did win a corner but it was cleared. When it came back to Chermiti, he was flagged for offside. Everton were very tentative, and looking to play many long balls that weren't really working, while the home side were making some half-decent attempts to create something. Apart from the long balls, Everton were having difficulty playing any football, with Doncaster doing a good pressing job to create passing jeopardy. After 20 minutes, Everton hadn't had a single touch in the Doncaster penalty area. Article continues below video content Chermiti, with a chance to run at the Doncaster goal, passes it straight to a defender. Not good. Doncaster countered and won a corner that was so nearly converted, the unmarked Rowe firing inches over Pickford's bar. Everton's football continued to be shockingly poor, pinned in their half for spells, with out-balls doing just that – getting hoofed out of play. Danjuma had his pocket picked and gave away a free kick. From this, Everton cleared and Dobbin had a chance to break but stumbled on the ball and then gave it away. Chermiti couldn't control the ball and lost it to his marker, who he then fouled, setting another spirited Doncaster attack with one shot blocked and the second, heading for the corner of Pickford's goal was very fortunately deflected just past the post. Dobbin showed some passion to tackle his man and win the ball back but still no real attack on the Doncaster goal. Everton won a free-kick wide left, and the ball at least bobbled around inside the home penalty area, although without a chance being created. More Doncaster pressure needed to be repulsed, a deep cross surprising the unmarked Molyneux who could not fashion a shot, but there was zero continuity in Everton's ragged play. Onana was too strong on his man but Doncaster got themselves offside on the free-kick. Everton finally created a good chance, Danjuma on a great one-two with Doucouré but he lashed his shot across the face of goal and past the far post with only the keeper to beat. The pressure remained on the Everton goal, Mykolenko giving away another corner that was played out and scooped forward for Ironside to head easily past Pickford, albeit from an offside position, but no VAR here! Goal to Doncaster Rovers. From the restart, Everton worked a chance for Onana who shot at Lawlor, the Doncaster keeper. The home side attacked again and won a deep free-kick wide right that fell to Rowe who powered in a superb shot that forced a tremendous save from Pickford. Dyche reacted to the abysmal display by making three changes at the break. Even so, Everton almost came unstuck. Everton at least fashioned an attack but the ball from Young to Beto was intercepted and then Beto fouled the defender. Doncaster got free down the left again and Garner had to give up the corner with another shot on goal from an unmarked man. Everton attacked down the left but Mykolenko's cross was woefully overhit. Beto tried to drive by himself through the middle and was called for a foul. Everton had possession that ended with Doucoure passing the ball out of play and Doncaster fashioning another hugely threatening attack, Mykolenko blocking a shot with his arm. Everton tried to fashion another attack but again Mykolenko's cross was dreadful. More scrappy football got the Blues somehow into the home area but the ball was hacked away from Garner. The lack of enterprise was underlined by a long Keane hoof forward from deep that Danjuma could not stop going over the byeline. Danjuma then gave away a foul on the Doncaster left that was cleared. Everton got forward and Garner put in a better cross. Mykolenko put on one that Beto should at least have got on goal. Mykolenko then ran a ball in that forced a desperate defensive lunge that won Everton a corner and finally there was some steady pressure from Everton but no clear chances created. Beyto showed great acceleration and put a fine ball into the box for Young but it was flagged out of play before he fashioned the cross. Garner tried to play in Danjuma but overhit the pass. A decent passage of play started by Mykolenko in midfield saw Beto set up to shoot but he made a dreadful mess of it. But a good ball forward from Doucouré saw a tremendous burst of speed from Beto and an exquisite touch that flicked the ball past the outrushing Lawlor and into the empty Doncaster net. Unbelievable. An Everton goal! Mykolenko had gone down with an injury and was replaced by Tarkowski. From a thwarted Doncaster attack, Everton attacked with more pace and Young forced a save with a shot from wide left. It was now a more even contest with Everton finally playing something approaching football but Doncaster still by no means humbled by their illustrious visitors. Garner put in a great cross that produced a towering header from the giant Beto, cannoning off the post. Then a fine shot from Danjuma skipped off the top of the crossbar as the Everton players it seemed finally realized they were in a game. But the minutes were ticking relentlessly toward penalties with Everton frustrated but the ball was laid in to Garner whose first-time shot was blocked. But Everton kept at it and a better sequence of possession saw Danjuma get a one-two and run along the 18-yard line before firing a difficult shot past Lawlor for what must surely be the winning goal for the Blues. Doncaster were given 6 minutes of added time to get back into it and did their best to do just that, a shot needed blocking and a corner given away that almost saw another chance created. At the other end, a chance for Danjuma was thwarted, Beto scored again but was flagged offside, and Maupay drove a shot at Lawlor before the final whistle went to signal a much-needed Everton victory. Doncaster Rovers: Lawlor, Senior, Westbrooke (90+3' Sotona), Olowu, Maxwell (90+3' Goodman), Broadbent, Rowe (71' Roberts), Bailey, Molyneux, Ironside, Faal. Subs not Used: Wood, Jones, Long, Faulkner, Straughan Brown, Kuleya. Everton: Pickford, Mykolenko (74' Tarkowski), Keane, Godfrey, Patterson (46' Young), Garner, Onana, Doucoure (84' Maupay), Dobbin (46' Gana), Danjuma, Chermiti (46' Beto). Subs not Used: Virginia, Lonergan, Branthwaite, Onyango. Reader Comments (185) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Jon Harding 1 Posted 30/08/2023 at 11:13:57 I hope we've been practising pens! Dave Lynch 2 Posted 30/08/2023 at 11:53:11 Where is it televised? Ajay Gopal 3 Posted 30/08/2023 at 11:59:11 Here is my starting XI prediction/expectation:Danjuma Chermiti DobbinDoucouré Onana GarnerMykolenko Branthwaite Godfrey PattersonVirginiaSubs: Maupay, Gana, Onyango, Cannon, Keane, Tarkowski, Young, Gomes, Pickford James Lauwervine 4 Posted 30/08/2023 at 12:00:14 It's on Sky Sports, and we all know why. Andrew Ellams 5 Posted 30/08/2023 at 12:11:44 Pretty much what I'm expecting, Ajay, unless he decides to give Onyango a go from the start. Jon Harding 6 Posted 30/08/2023 at 12:20:25 No way, Ajay @3. We have Sheff Utd Saturday lunchtime!Keane will surely start and this could be Maupay's big chance (to score a goal).I don't think Dyche will go with that big midfield 3 against mighty Doncaster. Opportunities for Gomes and Onyango maybe? Robert Tressell 7 Posted 30/08/2023 at 13:02:32 Looks about right, Ajay - although I think Keane and Godfrey might be the centre-back airing, and maybe Onyango features in midfield ahead of Onana? It's a bit raw obviously but that front three has a nice blend of skill, pace, height, mobility and aggression. When was the last time we were able to say that? Bill Fairfield 8 Posted 30/08/2023 at 13:33:29 Hope we put out a strong team tonight.We don't want a repeat of the disgrace at Bournemouth last season. Let's look interested in winning this competition for once. Fans pay a lot of money to follow our club. They deserve better. COYB. Paul Hewitt 9 Posted 30/08/2023 at 13:36:03 These are bottom of the football league pyramid. So a lucky 1-0 then. Dale Self 10 Posted 30/08/2023 at 13:53:59 A message for Jamie, I’m seeing it land at low tide. That seems as good as we could get as far as precondition goes. I hope you and all your loved ones are doing okay with munimal damage. Thinking of you man! Barry Rathbone 11 Posted 30/08/2023 at 13:55:59 A defining moment for Dyche, will he realise we have fuck all to play for but domestic honours or make the same mistake as all but Martinez and throw in the towel early doors? If he arses around with selection the jury will be in and he can go in the "mindless pretender" drawer. Brian Wilkinson 12 Posted 30/08/2023 at 15:14:20 If any fellow Blues are making the trip tonight there is a bar outside the West stand called the Belle Vue bar for both home and away fans, not many othet bars within walking distance apart from the Lakeside.Hope to catch some of you in the bar, will message you later Steve V so we can meet up before the game. Phil Smith 13 Posted 30/08/2023 at 15:28:02 I think he’ll go with Maupay and Keane to give them some confidence. That could all go to shit, though. Hopefully a front 3 with Dobbin and Chermiti at least. Cannon for Maupay if we’re 2 up at 60 mins. I’d also start Onyango in the middle. Mike Allison 14 Posted 30/08/2023 at 15:46:33 We need to pick our strongest team. No-one needs a rest at this stage, they need game time. Our fringe players aren’t good enough and we’re desperate for a positive spark to the season.Dyche has got nearly everything else wrong so far this season, so let’s see.Pickford; Garner, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Onana, Gueye; Danjuma, Gray, Dobbin; Beto (or Chermiti) Tony Abrahams 15 Posted 30/08/2023 at 15:57:11 Never a truer sentence written on these pages Barry R. That vomit inducing era/phrase “Plucky little Everton” was definitely the start of it, and what irony, when you realise that the club who were allegedly punching above their weight, had actually won at least one domestic honour in every decade they had existed (except after the war) until the parasite who claims to be a genuine Evertonian got hold of our club.When Kenwright leaves we will surely start to win again, I’m going for a Chinese!! Barry Hesketh 16 Posted 30/08/2023 at 15:59:53 We should play the strongest side possible, as there's only Saturday's match to come with a fortnight break following it. However, I'm not sure it's right, saying the manager's job at risk so early in the season, what with the lateness of new arrivals and injuries to key players, but hey ho, that's the way some Blues' roll these days.It's time to consolidate and build some proper foundations, not the time for more dramatic managerial upheavals. In a dozen games time, I may think differently, but that will depend on performance levels and outcomes of future games. Luke Welch 17 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:05:25 Need to score a few goals tonight! Get the confidence up and feel the winning feeling again. Kevin Naylor 18 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:12:28 I hate ties like this, FA to gain and everything to lose. Hopefully we can finally get on the scoresheet early or this will go down as the biggest humiliation of EFC's history. I was there against Altrincham and if wasnt for Dave Clements penalty we would have gone out the cup to a non league side. This is marginally a step up from that. Mark Taylor 19 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:18:14 Pickford, Patterson, Keane, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Onyango, Garner, Onana, Danjuna, Beto, Maupay.Worth seeing if Keane can defend against the worst team in the league, if not, proof to Dyche he should never play again for EFC. Onyango for Gana does not lose much and we might as well see what he has in his locker. Maupay for much the same reason as Keane, but not as a lone striker, where he is useless, but wide, where he might be slightly less so.The rest of the team is strong enough to beat a side bottom of EFL2. If not, we are in worse trouble than we think. Chermiti on for the second half to have another look. Beto to play so he can hopefully break his duck. If we're a few up, bring the kids on for the experience. Dave Lynch 20 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:22:47 There is no way on this or any other fucking planet in the universe that any team in the prem, even a shit one like us should lose this game.We get beat tonight and he deserves the fucking sack at the final whistle.Sorry for the language but I hate this "banana skin" mentality. Just get out there and put them to the sword. Kieran Kinsella 21 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:40:15 Barry HeskethAgreed. I remember losing to Shrewsbury when they were about as good as this Doncaster team in the FA cup under Moyes and that was with just about our best line up playing. No need for anyone to be rested after three games with a break on the horizon. Put out the best line-up, keeper included. We need a goal and a win. Doesn't have to be pretty doesn't have to be emphatic but we cannot afford to lose this and further erode hope and confidence by fooling around with reserve players of guys who just aren't good enough. Christy Ring 22 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:42:12 Needs to play Danjuna, Branthwaite, Mykolenko and Chermiti/Beto 45min’s each to get them match fit. Will Mabon 23 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:46:37 Christy,your thinking has merit with regards to a superior and well-functioning team highly likely to win. However... Billy Shears 24 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:48:27 Message to Mr Dyche and his backroom staff...Play 4-4-2...a system you used for Donkey's years at Burnley.Play your strongest side as possible.Get the game won first, then make your subs.Do the job in 90+ minutes,as we don't do penalties shoot-outs.Please... DON'T FUCK ABOUT... JUST WIN TONIGHT. Dale Rose 25 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:53:31 Ajay #3. Good team Ian Bennett 26 Posted 30/08/2023 at 16:54:12 Pickford Patterson Mykolenko Branthwaite Godfrey Garner OnonaDoucoure DanjumaChermitiMaupay I guess Mike Gaynes 27 Posted 30/08/2023 at 17:15:20 Attention Yanks, the game is on ESPN+ starting at 2:50 PM EDT. I've been wearing my lucky blue undies since last night. Christy #22, someone posted yesterday that Beto isn't eligible today because he signed a few hours too late. We'll see him this weekend. Stan Grace 28 Posted 30/08/2023 at 17:16:31 My predicted line-up:PickfordGodfreyTarkowskiBranthwaiteMykolenkoGarnerOnanaYoungDanjumaChermitiMaupayEnough experience to win 2 or 3-0. Like others have said the team need to play with a winning mentality and not worry about cup shocks. Alec Gaston 29 Posted 30/08/2023 at 17:58:49 Pretty sure he won’t risk any player he is looking to offload Jay Harris 30 Posted 30/08/2023 at 18:08:35 Just finished breakfast on the west coast of Florida and thankful that we don't have powercuts in my area so the game is good to go on ESPN.I believe and hope that the Hurricane didnt affect Jamie's area so expect him on here soon.Bottom of Div 2 against a premiership side what could go wrong?Well this is Everton and we are playing at Donnie's ground and as Snods will no doubt tell us that will be like playing at Clubmoor for those scouse Evertonians.I would therefore rest players where we are limited in cover so I would go with:VirginiaGodfrey Keane Brandthwaite Myolenko Onyango Garner GomesDobbin Chermiti DanjumaWith a strong lineup of subs just in case Brian Williams 31 Posted 30/08/2023 at 18:18:23 Alan Myers has shared that Beto was registered by Everton in time to make his debut against Doncaster, but other factors must be taken into account before he is thrown into the side. Sean O’Hanlon 32 Posted 30/08/2023 at 18:36:05 Careful now - Doncaster have scored 4 goals in 5 games. Can we cope??? Tom Bowers 33 Posted 30/08/2023 at 18:40:12 The Mickey Mouse cup but a win is a win and the starting eleven need to show why they get paid the big bucks. No doubt Doncaster will make it difficult for a while (or will Everton).As usual the lower opposition will have nothing to lose and will believe anything can happen especially the way Everton have been playing but surely it won't be another naff performance. Dennis Stevens 34 Posted 30/08/2023 at 18:40:25 Aye, Sean - they have an actual point as well! Christine Foster 35 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:08:36 Pretty strong team..flip it's cold.. COYB! Do thebusiness! No messing about.. Luke Welch 36 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:09:04 Good line up! Got to be a few goals in that team. Mike Connolly 37 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:13:04 Tom its not called the micky mouse cup now. Since the shite started taken it serious Mike Gaynes 38 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:18:58 I was wrong (or whoever I quoted was wrong) about Beto's eligibility... he's on the bench! Hugh Jenkins 39 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:21:05 Ajay (3) almost spot on with the team prediction. - well done.Hopefully, we shall win this at a canter. Robert Tressell 40 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:22:12 Good line up; good bench. COYB Bill Gienapp 41 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:25:54 Beto on the bench. Oh baby. Tony Everan 42 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:27:54 A strong team, Dyche not messing about, he knows it will be a physical battle first and foremost. A good game for Chermiti to impress.COYBLUES! Phil Smith 43 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:29:16 Any links for this one, boys? Brent Stephens 44 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:30:11 I thought Beto wasnt eligible? David Peate 45 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:30:16 September 1952 Everton 7 Doncaster 1 when Tommy Eglington scored 5. Which of today's team will emulate Tommy's feat. Billy Shears 46 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:30:24 Sigh...not our strongest team but ain't too shabby like,we should do this, methinks 2-1 Blues.No doubt if we lose this game, then Kenshite will just shrug his shoulders, mumbling to himself "It's a Mickey Mouse Trophy anyway".The greedy useless Prick...the bloke deserves the bullet alone for our meek surrenders in this competition... literally! Brent Stephens 47 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:31:08 Ah, Mike, #38, just seen ur post. Coming to get ya! Ed Prytherch 48 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:32:07 Mike 27. interesting that ESPN+ are showing only one game and it is ours. Someone expecting an upset? Colin Glassar 49 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:32:08 No injuries and a few goals, please. Dale Self 50 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:32:15 Pssst Billy 46, easy man. Use the vague metaphors when you can. Ray Roche 51 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:41:09 Mike @27‘ I've been wearing my lucky blue undies since last night.’Far too much information Mike..🤦🏼 Mike Allison 52 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:43:47 BBC Sport have lined it up as a 4-4-2 but those players suit 4-3-3.Still too many ‘non-creative’ midfielders but at least it’s down from 4 to 3. Rob Hooton 53 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:45:21 Decent enough starting lineup, here’s hoping for some goals and no more injuries. Tony Everan 54 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:48:31 I’ve been wearing my lucky blue undies since 1987. Jim Lloyd 55 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:49:20 To me, I think the talk of the sack for Dyche is daft. It'd be great to win a cup, and begin with this match by putting Doncaster to bed. Stick a full first team (or at least those who are fit) out; and we get one or two injured? I think he's done a good job so far, with the players available: We had two out of three games where we just couldn't score but were the better team. We've now got four decent goalscorers and good players for the team. Two of them are injured. One more of them injured and we're treading on ice again. Both of them get injured in this game and we're back to square one. Dyche has to balance winning, with keeping as many first team players fit. If he plays some fringe players, well they might surprise us... probably will! Si Cooper 56 Posted 30/08/2023 at 19:54:38 Tony, any notion that the luck may have been washed out of them a few decades ago (God, I hope they've been washed)?Recent signings have brought some hope to the fan base; a decent performance and result tonight would really back that up.UTFT! Neil Tyrrell 57 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:08:46 cricHD has about 8 links to the match, the bottom one is currently working for me after closing multiple pop-ups Sean O’Hanlon 58 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:16:32 For those without a link to game, Doncaster are looking more likely to score. Absolute dross from Everton. Sean Mitchell 59 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:27:09 Awful. That is all. Sean O’Hanlon 60 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:32:55 Over 30 mins gone. Everton no shots on/off target. Pete Ellingham 61 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:37:08 This is embarrassing! No more excuses, I don't care how bad the directors may or may not be. How bad the owner is or how bad the manager may or may not be. This is an inexcusable performance and every player should be ashamed! I hate every second of this but like a fool I keep thinking it will get better – it doesn't, it never does. I would love to eat my words but I doubt I will. Simon Dalzell 62 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:39:26 Spot on, Pete. I'm done with Dycheball (aka Doucheball). Get Potter in now. I don't believe this ''It's not the manager'' crap. We've just had terrible managers. Neil Tyrrell 63 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:39:37 My stream crapped out after 26 minutes, kinda felt like a blessing. Sean O’Hanlon 64 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:46:50 As expected, Doncaster 1 up Paul O'Neill 65 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:48:01 Make a note, ladies and gents. This might be the crawl space beneath rock bottom.Until May of course. John Wignall 66 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:49:02 Where do you start with that performance? Brian Cleveland 67 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:51:19 Nothing learned about defending short corners from the Villa game. Doncaster obviously learned something. Down to coaching. Nothing done about it. Sean O’Hanlon 68 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:51:58 John(66), performance? A pathetic, cowardly submission more like it. Ed Prytherch 69 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:52:58 We have been outplayed by Doncaster. Mykolenko gives up a needless corner, they take it short with no Everton players contesting and Doncaster get an offside goal with no VAR. Not much to be happy about. Garner has been OK Robert Leigh 70 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:54:07 I’m not sure Dyche can do anything about terrible footballers. And that’s what were out there first half. Garner has no one to pass to and if he does they can’t control a bag of cement. Onana tries and isn’t bad. Back four useless. Dobbin not having a game yet, feel bad for him n Chermiti, Danjuma howler Chris Leyland 71 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:55:08 This is unacceptable but Potter - Jesus Christ. The fella has lost more games than he’s won in English football management. He had a 31% win rate at Brighton and 38% at Chelsea. Dyche’s win rate at Burnley was better than Potter’s at Brighton and Chelsea combined. Potter is not the answer. Barry Hesketh 72 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:55:09 One of the most unprofessional performances I have ever witnessed by this or any other Everton team, even when we were level I was thinking that, but worse than being unprofessional they are bottling it all over the park. New guy up front is another Jo, Bambi on ice, the winger looks like he's decided "I've got my money, why should I get involved". Only Garner and Doucoure seem to be bothered and Patterson and Mykolenko are possibly two of the worst full-backs to ever wear an Everton shirt. Dobbin is another prospect who has nothing about him. I'm absolutely fuming - as you might realise - I don't know where we go from here, not even arsed if we get knocked out now, having seen that first-half. Denis Hignett 73 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:56:54 The only Everton player who can pass to another Everton player successfully is Pickford.Shocking! Justin Doone 74 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:57:10 Poor, very poor, but couldn't care less about this cup.Please no injuries, we will show how rubbish we really are! Roger Helm 75 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:58:43 It's not the manager or the players, it's the club. Before they get here, they are okay, even good (Dyche is the most successful Premier League manager in terms of points won per pound spent) but when they get here, they all turn into crap. Why, I don't know. If Potter came here he'd become crap as well. Tommy Coleman 76 Posted 30/08/2023 at 20:59:40 Getting outclassed here. Dyche needs to go to a 4-5-1.Players look lost in a 4-4-2. Oliver Molloy 77 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:00:34 I challenge anybody who watched that first half to tell me what the fuck the three stooges do at Finch Farm?Chermiti looks like he has never played football in his life – who else were in for him? Yeah, fucking nobody. No confidence, can not pass the ball, clueless - just fucking awful all over the pitch.Forget about their goal being offside, they deserve to be in front. Si Cooper 78 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:00:43 Bullshit to blame manager for players failing to do basics.When Danjuma fluffed his chance, it seemed inevitable Doncaster would score soon after but I can't believe the same player (their captain) was left in acres of space just outside our box after they had picked him out for an attempt on goal at an earlier corner.Players have to take responsibility. They are not sharp enough nor committed enough and are really letting themselves down in this match. 45 minutes to put things right.COYB! Pete Ellingham 80 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:03:48 The manager has control of the tactics on the pitch and should help to drive passion, motivation and the performance. The manager needs to pull anyone that doesn’t want to bleed for the club. However if you can’t perform and fight and motivate yourself to battle and run yourself to the ground for your fans, club and more importantly yourself then you should never be allowed to play for our great club in the first place. Neil Lawson 81 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:04:33 Disgraceful. Appalling. Shameful. Probably could score 5000 Scrabble points with adjectives to say how appalling this is. David Bromwell 82 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:04:53 Doncaster have shown us how to take a corner. Everton desperately poor, cannot keep the ball and cannot pass it to someone in Blue. Triple change at half time, not sure who, it's the old men ! Brian Cleveland 83 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:12:04 Short corner again also produces a goal. They are brain dead. Ken Kneale 84 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:16:44 David 45Answer = noneThis team and ownership taking Everton to new depths sadly for us Pete Ellingham 85 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:20:01 I like the look of Beto though. He’s a bit of a beast I think. Kieran Kinsella 86 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:20:49 Ironside. Well it doesn't take Perry Mason to outwit this lot. Even if Dyche is the worst manager in the whole world, you'd think the players would have enough pride and ability to just simply play a bit of football? Christy Ring 87 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:27:58 Pride must mean nothing, who’d want to sign for us now before the window shuts, embarrassing. Pete Ellingham 88 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:33:20 Yes! Jerome Shields 90 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:37:43 Yes a miracle. Beto, an Everton Centre Forward that can score. Jerome Shields 91 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:38:20 Yes, a miracle. Beto — an Everton centre-forward who can score. Alex Gray 92 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:49:27 Never in doubt eh lads? Gonna win the league!! Ed Prytherch 93 Posted 30/08/2023 at 21:59:18 Beto is the real deal. We have finally signed a striker. Kevin Molloy 94 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:00:16 Sheffield will gaze upon. our centre forward and be filled with foreboding for the coming fixture. Neil Tyrrell 95 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:00:57 A come from behind win against the bottom of the 4th division, I'll gladly take the win but it's sad to see that's our level now. On the bright side, Beto looked a player and we actually scored 2 goals! Tommy Coleman 96 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:02:35 Beto. Just what the doctor ordered. Barry Hesketh 97 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:03:39 Beto's a little on the raw side, and he may not perform straight away in the rough and tumble of the Premier League, but thank the Lord he was eligible to play tonight, because without him in the second-half, we'd be out of the cup. I'm still smarting over that first-half performance, a few players on show in that period, should be sent out on loan to lower league sides because that's where they belong. Roger Helm 98 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:05:03 Let's hope Beto becomes the latest in a long line of iconic No 9s. Dermot O'Brien 99 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:05:28 It was a banana skin that we missed so let's move on and look to the weekend. UTFT. Craig Walker 100 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:05:55 I hope that performance becomes a new Kevin Brock backpass moment. That first half was the worst performance I've ever seen. Utterly beyond words. Encouraging end to the game but there are a lot of worrying signs. Michael Keane needs offloading but every single player in that first half was appalling. Mike Hayes 101 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:06:14 About time an Everton player scored on their debut. Oliver Molloy 102 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:06:45 Delighted we win, delighted Beto showed up and scored, but hold on a fucking minute this was Doncaster we were playing.Too many players well below the level required and Godfrey can not even pass the fucking ball.Disgraceful performance all round - early days for Beto, lets see how he does on Saturday. David West 103 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:08:48 Surprised by the pace of Beto. Looks like will be a handful for defences. Took his goal with a bit of class too, as did danjuma, whos effort and running is impressive. All promising!!! Few bad points first half, but I'm not going to rain on the parade. We scored TWO !! We came from behind. We have a Stiker who can run and kick the ball !!! On to Sheff utd. Tommy Davis 104 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:08:48 Got to love Beto?? Mike Allison 105 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:10:42 This manager is worse than Lampard and Benitez. Si Cooper 106 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:13:10 Can't get too excited considering the opposition but some positives.Gana, Young and Beto made a considerable difference. Do the haters give the manager any credit?Why bang on about ‘tactics' when players aren't doing the basics? John Keating 107 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:14:36 Winning was the main thing but overall the performance was a disgrace.The first 45 was probably the worst performance ever considering we were playing a team holding up League Two and had a shed load of injuries.Play like that at the weekend and we're done. Stuart Sharp 108 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:16:09 Nearly a new low. Actually, quite possibly still a new low. But whoever the opposition, Beto looked like an actual striker. Ian Bennett 109 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:17:56 Shocking performance, but the focal point changes a lot.Can hold up play, run in behind will make a difference. Midfield is still poor. Don Alexander 110 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:19:37 Another one of Kenwright’s “Good Times” evenings folks!Who could possibly want more? Brian Williams 111 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:20:22 Have to say Dyche conducts himself really well in interviews. Just seen the post match pitch side interview.No bullshit, no question avoidance tactics, basically honest and straight forward.That's a welcome change in itself.The players need to have a long look at themselves for that first half performance though. Christy Ring 112 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:24:03 Beto looks a find, but listening to Dyche after the game praising Onana? I must have been watching a different no.8, still no matter the opposition could be a huge lift Dave Lynch 113 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:25:48 Appalling display imo.Doncaster are the worst team in English football according to the tables and we... a Premier League club, struggle to beat them. Phil Lewis 114 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:26:44 Beto looks the part, a proper centre forward. The opposition is immaterial. It was a massive improvement when he came on. Shades of early Lukaku.I'd still sell Onana and Pickford, our only realistically sellable assets, before the deadline and use the money to bring in reinforcements capable of providing a respectable, safe league placing. John Keating 115 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:26:45 That’s us out then Barry Rathbone 116 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:26:48 A Gallup poll is showing the Beto goal resulted in 18.3% of uk blues exclaiming "Ooo Beto!!" in a Frank Spencer voice. I really can't cope Alan Corken 117 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:27:53 These matches are always difficult. Just look at Chelsea struggling at home to Wimbledon. The fact is we won and we do appear to have landed a couple of strikers who can play a bit i.e. Beto and Danjuma. The jury is still out on Chermiti, but he is young and needs to be given time. All in all tonight's second half was the first Blues game I have enjoyed this season. Joe Corgan 118 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:28:23 I couldn’t watch the game tonight but I managed to see ten minutes in the second half, during which we equalised.I know it’s early days and it’s “only” Doncaster but is it fair to say that Beto could be the player that makes the difference when it comes to us staying up? Stuart Sharp 119 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:28:45 Brian #111I agree. He takes no rubbish always sends out a message of calm.Christmas #112He won the ball back repeatedly, and set moves in motion. Nothing glamorous, but a good 2nd half. Mike Gaynes 120 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:29:35 Phil, without Pickford there is no such thing as a respectable safe league placing. He is irreplaceable. Without him we're halfway down the Championship already.Christy, I saw the same thing Dyche did. Onana was our best player the first 60. And it was his pass that released Beto for the first goal. Wasn't his first fine pass either. Mike Allison 121 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:30:24 Si, because the manager is responsible for preparing, motivating and organising the players.They’re playing worse than if you sent 11 players out with no instructions and told them to figure it out for themselves.Whatever the hell is going on behind the scenes, Dyche is having a negative impact through poor team selection and apparently even worse man-management.How can you not be a ‘hater’? Do you seriously not hate the way we’re playing at the moment? Jamie Crowley 122 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:31:40 Dale all the way back @10 - **EDIT - and Jay HarrisAll good here. Idalia jogged west overnight and that, for my corner of NE FL, was very fortunate. We never lost power and I was at work all breezy day. We dodged a bullet for sure. Those folks over on the Big Bend, Gulf-side, won't be as fortunate. But here in FL we're frankly excellent with dealing with these things. I'm quite sure it'll take some time, but the damaged area will be fixed up relatively lighting fast. Florida's response to hurricanes is ridiculously good.Hoping for no more this season to be sure.I couldn't watch the game, and am relieved we won. Sounds like we weren't very good. But bear in mind there's a lot of new players and it will take some games of playing together to click.We won. Let's keep doing that!Thanks for the thoughts, Dale. Appreciate it. Anthony Jones 123 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:33:32 Chermiti looked like the second coming of Kean.I hope he isn't. Dale Self 124 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:36:43 Nice Jamie! Paul Ferry also opened the love forum with a thought for you and the family as well. Right now it’s all Beto is fab vs Uh I think there is a problem with Dyche. We’ll get it sorted. Jim Lloyd 125 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:37:42 It just shows us how poor our subs are, and a number of our regular first teamers. Poor, poor recruitment over a number of years and those who are still here show us up. So really, when Dyche gets Harrison fit and McNeil fit, and with Danzuma and Beto, and even Maupe we've got a good chance of scoring goals and getting away from relegation.It's in midfield and defence we have our major problems, and I include the goalkeeper. It all can't be done at once and it's even worse, when we know how much money has been thrown away on players who are nowhere near good enough. Mykolenko and Patterson are young and may progress but I hope Seamus comes back the sooner the better and Young might well do us this season.As for Doucouré and Onana, they're questionable in our midfield. I think they're both too slow. But we might see Onana develop this season into a midfield General...but I have my doubts.After a shocking first half that shows our paucity of talent both in the first team and reserves, this season, we will do well to get anywhere near midway. Though we have a couple more days to add to what seems a decent recruitment so far. Jamie Crowley 126 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:37:59 Oh! And remember kids, if you're ever in Florida after a natural disaster, don't take advantage of chaos and steal shit!Welcome to Florida! LinkYou loot, we shoot! 😜 Colin Glassar 127 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:38:01 A shameful, embarrassing, lacklustre, cowardly, so-called performance; and that was just Dyche's post-match interview. Don't get me started on the game… Bill Gienapp 128 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:38:31 Me for 90 minutes: cursing, throwing things at the TV, pounding the sofa pillow with the remoteMe at the full-time whistle: strutting around like Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor in Stir Crazy in the jail scene: "Yeah, that's right – we bad. We bad." Dale Self 129 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:41:12 Hey what was the over/under on Dyche wiping his head tonight? Jamie Crowley 130 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:41:52 Dale -20.Take the over every time. Pro tip. Jamie Sweet 131 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:43:31 Beto is an absolute unit, and appears to be extremely pacey for such a big fella. Going to be a handful for defenders that is for sure. Just hope he is technically up to it – because physically he sure is! Nice run in behind and composed finish.Would love him to turn into the hero Number 9 we so desperately need. Denis Richardson 132 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:44:40 That was my first full 90 minutes of the season (or 96 anyway) and my goodness, that first 45 minutes was without doubt the worst half of football Everton have played since I can remember. So many things wrong, it was embarrassing. Had I not known which sides were playing, I'd have thought it was a league match with the red team being the much better outfit. Major change was needed at half-time and it didn't take long to have an effect. Beto was simply immense. Yes, it's only against lower league but the guy signed barely 24 hours ago, hasn't even trained with the team, and played as if he'd been there a season or two. His build and power reminds me of a black Duncan Ferguson but with pace. Once he gets up to speed in the Premier League he's going to be some signing. Finally we have a proper Number 9 – Maupay may even benefit playing off a decent target man. He's surprisingly quick for a guy that big and has got good feet as well. Looks a proper player. Great for the win and to finally get a couple of goals. The kids who started though need minutes from the bench. They need time to grow into the game so I won't be harsh. Keane had an alright night but Branthwaite and Tarkowski should be back in come the weekend.Another point about Beto. Post-match interview the guys come across as humble, genuine and speaks surprisingly good English – he's going to be a fan favourite I'm pretty sure. I was also amazed how well Danjuma spoke English. Hardly sounded foreign at all!Forget about the first half and take the win on the road and the satisfaction we have what looks like a bloody handful of a striker up front. If he repeats that in the Premier League, Calvert-Lewin will have a hard time getting his place back.Looking forward to the weekend – ignore the league table, season starts now!Fuck me — we actually have a striker! Phil Lewis 133 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:45:54 Mike #120,With respect, we are all in agreement about Pickford's 'worldy' saves. But I would argue that his howlers overshadow them.My point is that, if we sell him now, we will probably achieve as much as we'll ever get for him. Give one of our reserve keepers his chance, or buy an experienced older keeper. As for Onana, I just don't see this potential that everyone speaks of. The money for both, if wisely invested could change our fortune for the immediate future. Alec Gaston 134 Posted 30/08/2023 at 22:57:27 Gana saved that game; Beto was a handful. Chermiti will take time… full-backs need to step up. Godfrey looked lost.A much-needed win, though. Jim Lloyd 135 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:00:57 Agreed with both your points, Phil. I'd rather we kept our reserve goalie who left earlier in the summer; and we sold Pickford. Colin Glassar 136 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:02:32 Alec, I'm afraid Godfrey will never make the grade. He looks terrified and clueless every time he's on the ball. Alongside Keane, he's just a disaster waiting to happen. And with Patterson and Mykolenko showing no improvement our defence is a shambles. Oliver Molloy 137 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:06:21 Mike @ 120,You are mistaken – Beto scored from Doucouré's pass. Billy Shears 138 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:07:58 You better,You better,You bet,Beto. 💙We'll win at Bramall Lane at the weekend too. I still believe we have all the makings of being a good side but we need to play 4-4-2, be much braver, and find the right balance within the team. That way, real partnerships will be forged and, with players coming back from injury, we'll have real competition for starting places – with maybe more signings before Friday is done. Sam Hoare 139 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:10:33 It's yet another night where I'm forced to bemoan the fact that we spent over £30M on Mykolenko and Patterson. The young Scot may yet come good but he's got a way to go.Have a feeling that left-back and right-back might be the first port of call next summer.What a start for Beto. And El Bilal Toure has a season-ending injury. Perhaps the fates were on our side for once. Mike Gaynes 140 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:13:28 Oliver #137, I wasn't watching the screen at that moment but the commentators said it was Onana. Cheers for the correction.Phil #133, his worldies win games for us, and I haven't seen a genuine "howler" from him in at least a season and a half. He has matured greatly. Replacing him with an unknown or some old fart would doom us. I think we've done fine in this window without the funds he would bring. Ben King 141 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:21:34 Mike #140Pickford was responsible for the goal that Wolves scored on the weekend by not coming off his line and claiming the cross: the ball was headed inside the 6-yard box, fella!!!He also gave a stupid pen away in the preceding game v Villa. He makes tonnes of mistakes and never claims or punches crosses. He's an excellent shot stopper but that's about it… and he has no presence. Stuart Sharp 142 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:34:22 Our fullbacks really are pants. And what the hell happened to Godfrey? In his first season, I really thought he was future captain material. Can't remember being so disappointed in a player's development. He looks totally lost. A lot is down to confidence, but still...Anyway, with McNeil and Harrison to come in, there is maybe some hope for our attack yet if Beto's debut means anything. And Garner will just keep getting better – he didn't have the best game tonight, but you can see that he has a football brain.Calls for Pickford or Dyche to leave are truly baffling. Derek Knox 143 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:47:03 Hopefully this will kick-start our season, in a game that was hard fought. Doncaster smelled a possible scalp, and even had the temerity to take the lead, with what appeared to be an off-side goal!Finally, we appear to have landed the striker we have craved for so long, and he could easily have had a hat-trick but for the woodwork and a disallowed effort. Not bad considering he only played the second half! Let's just hope and pray that he, and the others, stay injury free!Hopefully also, Dyche has seen that Keane and Godfrey, either alone or together, are not the answers at centre-back. Window not completely shut so maybe a few more surprises with exits and arrivals! Not getting too carried away though, Beto has definitely given me hope! Chris Davies 144 Posted 31/08/2023 at 00:53:10 Dennis @132,It's rare I agree so completely with a fellow fan of football that I feel the need to mention how much I agree!Danjuma is Dutch. They basically speak English before Hollandish. 😉Thank fuck for Beto!UTFT X John Raftery 145 Posted 31/08/2023 at 01:24:18 Denis (132) Great post. The thought occurs that we might play Calvert-Lewin and Beto together up front. We would need workaholics in midfield to make it work but it would give opposing defenders something to think about. Joe Digney 146 Posted 31/08/2023 at 01:29:29 Through to the next round which is all that matters right now, the win may give the players a much needed confidence boost.Beto pretty much the only positive.I hope the rumours are true that Fulham have bid £20 million for Iwobi and we are looking at Kyle Walker-Peters with the money. We've spent £30 million and still have the most ineffective full-backs in the league.I read last week after Wolves that Moshiri was already getting itchy feet in regards to Dyche… if we lose on Saturday, I can imagine he will be on very thin ice.Once again, Beto looks a beast, look forward to seeing him from the off on Saturday. Julian Wait 147 Posted 31/08/2023 at 04:43:37 What a header! Paul Ferry 148 Posted 31/08/2023 at 05:00:04 A few thoughts.Maupay did enough tonight to make me think that he will do better with another striker next to him. How anyone can lambast and lampoon Gana is beyond me. He was superb in that second half holding the midfield together. Play him there with Garner and either Onana or Doucoure ahead of them or neither quite frankly.A full back crisis lurks around the corner.I feel for Keane as he is a decent human being with emotions. I hope very much that he takes care of himself, but he is not - right now - someone we can rely on. Tarkowski and Branthwaite please. What on earth has happened to the Godfrey who was so excited when he signed and showed signs of maturity beyond his years and potential skipper-ship in his first season? Beto gave us 52 minutes of what we have needed for so long now.Danjuma will have hot and cold moments/games but he will be one of our more important players in the months ahead. Deep respect and deeper thanks to anyone who was there. Dyche had a very good half-time and final half-hour and he continues to impress in his interviews, apart from the Onana nod which might have had more to do with psychology than anything else.We will sign at least one more incoming on loan and there might be a buy in the works after Thelwell's great wheeling and dealing over our saviour's transfer (Thelwell has had a top-notch summer in the market with more to come).We will beat the Blades and the break will give us precious time for new folk to settle in and our wounded to get closer to requisite fitness, some of whom will make a real difference.No way are we getting relegated. Danny O’Neill 149 Posted 31/08/2023 at 06:35:21 A classic early-round game against a lower-league team. Fortunately we turned it around they didn't give me a Grimsby moment (I could mention others).We're in the next round and off to Villa Park.The first half, we were shocking. A midfield with gaping holes and as wide open as the Pacific Ocean. Despite his critics, when Gueye came on, he made a difference. He may be wasteful but he certainly presses and puts the opposition under pressure.I don't know why the manager is playing Garner out wide, but he must know better than me. Play him in front of the defence alongside Idrissa. The hunter and the playmaker.The new forward players came to the rescue. With McNeil back, they'll do well. We're through to the next round. Job done. Paul Ferry 150 Posted 31/08/2023 at 06:49:52 Read back Danny, I made your two most substantive points in the previous post in one paragraph. Andy Meighan 151 Posted 31/08/2023 at 06:55:35 Mike Gaynes. 120.Onana was poor again and as usual on the edge of the game and it wasn't his pass that put Beto in, it was Doucouré. Onana is a very very average player and I could count on one hand the number of good games he's had for us. Danny O’Neill 152 Posted 31/08/2023 at 07:05:10 Godfrey is becoming an enigma, Paul. He is lacking confidence and out of sorts.Back to South Yorkshire this weekend and we'll get the win.Made up for those supporters last night. Paul Ferry 153 Posted 31/08/2023 at 07:11:12 Agree Danny. Thanks for your support. Those supporters include you. Steve Brown 154 Posted 31/08/2023 at 07:15:01 My thoughts on the game - sorry I can't be arsed to read 150 comments after that performance so might be repeating what more articulate posters have already said.1) Beto looks a handful – big, quick and will fit Dyche's system well.2) I wouldn't even pick Keane for his own testimonial match. 3) Mykolenko and Patterson are not currently Premier League quality full-backs; they are equally poor defensively and offensively.4) Godfrey needs to restart his career with a Championship club.5) As Paul says above (and I posted after the Wolves defeat), move Garner into the middle now.5) We need a winger, centre-back and full-back by close of Friday night. Mark Tanton 155 Posted 31/08/2023 at 07:21:43 They were a lot better in the second half but they could hardly have been much worse could it? They were absolutely beyond awful. At least Dyche was proactive and changed things. Beto is going to be a handful. Matt Butlin 156 Posted 31/08/2023 at 07:28:51 Let’s just hope Beto and Danjuma drag the others up rather than the other way (down)!! Tony Heron 157 Posted 31/08/2023 at 07:44:17 Julian @ 147. Yes I thought the same. Think the club may have to cough up for a replacement post for Doncaster! Mark Ryan 158 Posted 31/08/2023 at 07:59:46 Would love to see someone wearing a shirt not with a players name on the back but the word HENCEClass interview by Danjuma UTFT's Rob Halligan 159 Posted 31/08/2023 at 07:59:59 I will have to watch the full game again before making comment, because, for me anyway, it was dark as hell out on that pitch last night. How Doncaster get away with such poor floodlighting is beyond me. I’ve watched the brief two minute highlights on the club website, and believe me, it was nowhere as bright as shown there, and what would have been on Sky TV. That’s my excuse anyway, and I’m sticking to it!! Mick O'Malley 160 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:14:18 Phil at 133. If Onana has no potential who is this imaginary team we can sell him to? The lad is playing in a team with no confidence,, we’ve had no proper centre forward on the pitch for ages so now we have a focal point maybe the team can gel, also No one has ever shown the slightest bit of interest in Pickford so how do we sell him to improve the squad? The first half was embarrassing, how many more times has Dyche got to see Keane and Godfrey to see that they are mistake waiting to happen, Watching these centre halves you realise how good Yerry really was, I definitely think we could do with a centre half though the door before the window closes Anthony Hawkins 161 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:20:06 We have weaknesses all over the squad. With DCL out, we’re relying on new boys to hit the ground running and score goals. The team has been trained week in week out to try and survive without a known striker and now they’ve had to learn how to play with individuals who’ve been in the team about a week. That’s tough. Yes, they should have been brought in weeks ago, but they weren’t.Fingers crossed from here on in. Ian Edwards 162 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:23:55 The fact that Idrissa the Rainbow laces hater has his best 45mins against the club 92nd speaks volumes as to his "talent". He is dreadful against Prem midfielders and goes missing when teams attack our Defence. Bobby Mallon 163 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:28:33 Ian mega money Chelsea struggled against Wimbledon. I’m not making excuses but we turned it around. Phil Lewis 164 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:39:05 Mick#160The press repeatedly link both Onana and Pickford with other clubs. If there is any truth in either, then I would cash in immediately in order to establish a stronger squad.As I have stated before on here many times, Pickford's undoubted athleticism when making breathtaking saves does not compensate for glaring basic inadequacies in his game, which in my opinion have reflected in our league positions in recent seasons.Onana simply hasn't got it for me. He lacks in every aspect of his game. Others seem to think he's a star of the future and that's why he would command a hefty fee at present. From what I've seen of him so far, I'd 'snatch the hands off' any would be buyers. Paul Cherrington 165 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:40:18 Although the first half was not pretty, this was a much needed first win of the season and should be the spark which gets us going overall. Actually scoring some goals was massive too and takes away the pressure of not having scored moving ahead.The pleasing thing about both goals for me was that they were proper quality from two players who look like proper footballers. Beto's was a pure strikers finish and his movement/pace to score was very good. He looks like the real deal and will make a major difference to our season. Danjuma's goal was also impressive and showed we finally have some players in the team now who are not just athletes who run around a lot. With people like Harrison, McNeil, Branthwaite, DCL and Garner to support them, we should be ok now I think.Amazing what happens when you have some quality in the team and a strker on the pitch who can actually score.Just please no to Keane or Godfrey in defence ever again. Mistakes waiting to happen and cost us goals/points whenever they play usually. Patterson at full back looks out of his depth too but I know thats trickier to do anything about currently. Doucoure is not good enough at number 10 either for me in the PL - I know he set Beto's goal up last night and scores the odd key goal but his overall ability is not enough in that position creativly on a regular basis. When we have McNeil and Harrison back to go out wide, I would try Danjuma there instead. Duncan McDine 166 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:45:02 Nothing new about what I'm about to write, but my God, that first half goes down as the worst football that I've ever seen. A Premier League team and not one of our players could control the ball for 45 minutes. Shameful.Dyche obviously made big changes at half time and got a tune out of them in the second half (Beto looks like what we have been crying out for), but I'm still in shock after watching that first half. David Bromwell 167 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:45:46 I only watched on TV, but thought we were dreadful. It's all kick and rush stuff and we are not very good at that. Like some others have said I thought Gana saved the day for us when he came on. Obviously too Beto looks to be the target and hold up player we have been desperate for.But it's the simple tactics that concern me, starting with Pickford who I think spreads panic throughout the team. He needs to calm down, and stop booting every ball up the pitch. And last night Doncaster gave us a master class in how to take corners, all different, dangerous and defended poorly. We of course stuck with our normal ' boot into the middle ', now easy to defend, seldom dangerous and boring to watch.I desperately hope as the new players settle in and others return from injury a better style of plays emerges because unless there is a big improvement there will be No fairy tale end to this season. Shaun Laycock 168 Posted 31/08/2023 at 08:49:51 I can see a plan emerging with recruitment and team. 442 is Dyche's preferred formation. Using width is key and a focal point up front. It will morph into a 451 out of possession and 442 in possession with the wide players/fullbacks providing the width:PickfordPatterson/Coleman Mykolynko/Godfrey/YoungBranthwaite/keaneTarkowski/Godfrey McNeil/Harrison Onana/doucoure/garnerGanaIwobi/Garner/HarrisonBeto/DCL/ChermittiDanjuma/Maupay/ChermittiOther permutations are possible. Mike Hayes 169 Posted 31/08/2023 at 09:36:49 Shaun Laycock - we would need all those players on the pitch on match day to see if we can find another blue shirt 🥳 Peter Mills 170 Posted 31/08/2023 at 09:46:11 Rob#159, you really don’t want to watch that first half again. Occasionally, darkness is our friend.Maupay doesn’t get (nor deserve) much praise, but he looked better in the deeper role when he came on. Annika Herbert 171 Posted 31/08/2023 at 11:17:04 Phil @ 164, if not for Pickford we would already be competing in the Championship. Selling him would be total madness in my opinion. We certainly wouldn’t be strengthening the team in any way Liam Heffernan 172 Posted 31/08/2023 at 11:21:49 Beto was brilliant last night without having trained with the team, maybe that’s the answer to our problems, leave the players to be free radicals and we might have an awesome team. After a few weeks training he will probably be shit. Mark Ryan 173 Posted 31/08/2023 at 11:35:09 Liam @ 172, did you miss Dyches post match pitch side presser.When asked if he was surprised how well Beto did, Dyche reassured the interviewer by saying " he did well but we need to show him what we do, what we are about" Most of the the interview was pure bollocks mind. I'm beginning to have my doubts about the man with the disc beard. I smell bullshitI hope Norbert gives everyone a lift. He looks very good to me. Sean says he's "raw"Mmmmm ? Barry Hesketh 174 Posted 31/08/2023 at 11:52:31 Football manager talks 'bullshit' shocker! They all talk tripe, from Sir Alex to the lowest ranked manager in the game, most wouldn't talk at all if it wasn't for the necessity of TV broadcasters. Players are judged on what they do on the pitch, not for how they wave their scarves or praise the supporters, likewise, managers are judged on results, positive results and nobody cares how much tripe they utter, poor results and they could offer a solution to world peace, but they'd still be toast. Tony Heron 175 Posted 31/08/2023 at 11:56:02 Julian @ 147. Yes I thought the same. Think the club may have to cough up for a replacement goal post for Doncaster! Roger Helm 176 Posted 31/08/2023 at 12:41:08 Were it not for a delayed pass by Gana, a wrong decision by the linesman and the thickness of a post, Beto could have had four in the second half. Not bad, even against a League Two side. Bill Watson 177 Posted 31/08/2023 at 12:41:19 The first half was totally shocking. It took us about 20 minutes to get into their penalty area and our first shot was on 42 minutes and the second, just after they took the lead, on 44 minutes.Patterson, Mykolenko and Godfrey looked out of their depth against a side bottom of League Two – and Onana wasn't much better.Those calling for Pickford to be sold need a serious head wobble. He's kept us in the Premier League for the last two seasons and, last night, his second half save at 1-0 kept us in the game. Rennie Smith 178 Posted 31/08/2023 at 13:06:04 That first half was utter shite, even worse than Villa. Some players made great cases for themselves being Championship or lower standard.One thing that bugs me. If you bring in a 38-year-old fullback, you expect him to be a fill-in player. The lad might have looked after himself and be fit, but he's going to struggle to play every bloody minute possible. You can say the changes at halftime made a difference, but hammering Young into the ground who's already had some very dodgy performances isn't a strategy for me, it's eventual suicide. Mick Davies 179 Posted 31/08/2023 at 13:29:25 I agree with those who say Garner is wasted out wide. Watching the 2013-14 DVD (for reasons we all understand) and realising how McCarthy and Barry destroyed opposition attacks and created so many chances, makes me yearn for a Macca type in the middle, which is where I see him. McCarthy was seriously under rated, and its a joy to see, not just how hard working he was, but also creating chances and goals; a role I'm convinced James would be more than capable of doingMaybe Dyche is just acclimatising him to the pace of the PL and grooming him in training for the job - I certainly hope so, as he seems a perfect fit Frank Crewe 180 Posted 31/08/2023 at 14:29:35 The first half was proof positive that there isn't a team of world-beaters lurking in our U21s. There isn't even a team of Doncaster beaters.So the next time people are going on about picking this or that young lad, remember this game… Brian Wilkinson 181 Posted 31/08/2023 at 15:19:16 Who were the u21,s Frank lurking in this match against Donny apart from Dobbin, all the others were players that have already played regular first team action, or players brought in from other clubs, you cannot seriously suggest that this was down to not having no one in the u21 squad to bring through.Mills, Cannon and Warrington will go on to make it, but might not be at Everton, due to going out on loan or holding back for a sale for Cannon none had the opportunity last night.The blame lies soley at the seasoned pros, who have had more than enough game time, Keane, Godfrey, Mykolenko, Onana all shocking last night, those calling for Gauye to move on, he made the difference last night, stopped Donny walking straight through us.Looking at the bigger picture Coleman would walk straight back into the team for me, get Tarkowski and Branthswaite as settled centre halfs, I would look to pull James Garner into centre midfield sacrificing one of the other midfielder, then McNeil on the left and Harrison on the right, with Beto and Calvert Lewin as options in attack.What I saw of Beto last night was a footballer wanting to put the effert in, he is a beast of a player, really looking forward to seeing him get even better, once he settles in the team, yes it was only against a lower division team, but that guy looks like he is hungry to play and score goals. Danny O’Neill 182 Posted 31/08/2023 at 15:23:30 I'm not sure why it's important what colour laces a player wears. It's like talking about pink or orange boots.Personally, I'm more in favour of Adidas Beckenbauer or World Cups. Maybe Puma Kings.I don't care what colour their boots or laces are as long as they perform and we win.We won and are in the next round and on our way to Wembley. Andy Meighan 183 Posted 31/08/2023 at 19:12:20 People getting carried away a bit here over Beto.Let's face it, he was playing against a team at the bottom of the Football League. A team who incidentally made it look like they were the Premier League team.Having said that, it was great to see the lad get off the mark regardless of the opposition. I sincerely hope he transfers it over to his Premier League appearances because by god we need a goalscorer.We desperately need creativity in that midfield because not one of them could spot a pass if it smacked them in the face. Admittedly Garner is being played out of position but I'm still to be convinced by him.It's high time Onana, Gueye, Garner and to a lesser extent Doucoure started chipping in with goals, but I won't hold my breath. Hopefully McNeil and Harrison won't be out too long.On another note, Patterson needs taking out of that side asap because he was truly out of his depth even against Doncaster. Ditto Godfrey and Dyche's love child Keane.Never seen players like them who give the ball away so much or can't get the thing under control. Graham Mockford 184 Posted 31/08/2023 at 19:55:19 Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what's coming when Calvert-Lewin is finally fit playing with Beto.Think Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood… Peter Mills 185 Posted 31/08/2023 at 21:19:18 Our performance at Molineux, just after Christmas 1983, when we lost 3-0 to a Wolves team that hadn't previously won at home, and was subsequently relegated by a distance, has always been the benchmark for me and my family for “worst ever”. The first half display last night smashed that. We were unbelievably bad. I'm desperately trying to cling on to the green shoots of recovery displayed in the second half, but fresh growth is notoriously fragile. Onwards with the family to Sheffield on Saturday. Neil Copeland 186 Posted 31/08/2023 at 22:04:42 Rob #159, I am glad you said that because I thought it was just me. I was really struggling to see their goalposts from where I was standing approx 10 rows from the front. All I really saw of our goals was the net ripple and the other supporters celebrate. Jeff Armstrong 187 Posted 01/09/2023 at 18:09:27 Peter185, that game was just before Christmas 83, our team that night had 8 or 9 future league champions in it, plus Wayne Clark, Who scored against us that night! Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb