Everton finally score but still cannot fashion a win

Transfer window was fine until yesterday, but guess we know where the Beto money came from (and the usual we were 38p behind Leeds' valuation of Gnonto, but we wouldn't go a penny higher)

Utterly incompetent as usual. The worst run club in the league.

Whilst I don't agree with 5 subs being allowed to be made, you would hope that two younger players could have been included to give them experience of what sitting on a bench is like!

Why do we seem to sign players who are not ready ?

Any more injuries or any sales to Saudi clubs and we won’t need a bench, just a couple of fold up chairs.

Christy, I agree and gauling to say the least when I saw that last night, especially given the gnonto pantomime that lasted 2 months

More 'reality' bullshit from Sean Dyche. Nothing about why the missing players are missing.

This is a massive 6 pointer already, I’m not positive but hope we get the win, naturally.

I understand the frustration but look at it this way, if Jack Harrison was a free agent and we picked him up at the end of September (when he'll be fit ) then you would take that free agent all day long right?

He's on loan with an option to buy so he's got plenty of time to produce what we've seen in the last few seasons.

Onana is head and shoulders above the rest of our side so far.

Overall we're watching two pretty awful teams playing pretty awful football.

We’re going to be zero points from six games and adrift at the bottom when Luton come to our place. Let’s hope the season starts then.

Not sure if I can watch much more of this shit.

Other than that it's barely worth listing the poor performers. But a special mention for Danjuma who had achieved the feat of making clearly the wrong decision every single time he's had the ball.

Patterson can't cross. Garner can't play wide. Gana can't pass. Young suddenly looks 48.

Doucoure, goal apart, hasn't been involved enough to get a rating.

As for Jordan and Tarkowski smiling about the second goal due to its good-fortune for Sheffield or misfortune for Everton, that's unacceptable, every goal conceded should be taken as a personal affront.

This was a game we could have won, now, I'm not so sure we'll take a point, unless we show a little more ambition and learn how to cross and pass the ball in and around their penalty area.

Branthwaite's yellow seemed a bit harsh as he got the ball and followed through while the Sheffield player was moving into the tackle/follow through.

Danjuma on the breakaway then has a 4 on 2 advantage but doesn't make the anything of it.
We seem to be pressing high up the pitch but the defence, Tarkowski in particular, seems incapable of dealing with a long ball and for their first goal he looked intent on getting into a position to block rather than take on the attacker and again didn't seem to want to know for their second.

We don't seem to have any sort of pattern to our game other than get it wide and hope for the best, there has to be some sort of variety to our game which with individual brilliance is sadly missing.

Gueye can't pass, Onana cannot be arsed to run, and Doucoure can't pass or dribble.

Those 3 are ever-present.

A month early but let's start the manager debate again.

Any early manager names in contention. What's big Dunc upto?

Come on blue boys, win this and everyone's happy!

But trying….

It's hard to overstate how poor Ben Godfrey's cameo was.

Was surprised that Chermiti didn't come on given how shattered our attackers looked.

I'm sure Dyche has checked the stats though and running everyone into the ground is the best way to keep them fit.

We should get Beto, Danjuma and Onana to show the rest how to bring the ball down and have confidence not to lose it.

I really don't see how Young keeps Mykolenko out as he seems a lot better and all Young seems to be there for is set pieces which he isn't very good at. And for those of you doubting him, Pickford once again saves us.

Normally I'd only nominate a MoM for an outstanding performance but there wasn't any of them but I'd say that Branthwaite would be worthy of it today, never put a foot wrong.

Two goals and a point away from home but heaven help us as with the exception of Luton we seem to have played the four worst teams that we are likely to see this season.

Sad times for this club of ours, there are some improvements but not enough to give us fans the confidence that we need in them. All huff and puff and no finesse just about sums us up, and the fact that it seemed to me at least that Everton players were happy with a point once Danjuma equalised, spells trouble for the rest of this season.

Thirty-four games to go and more than a point a game required.

If Young is the best we can do for a left back then we really will struggle.It was his awful pass which put Branthwaite in a position to win a tackle and he did play the ball but these days referees say it doesn't matter if the man goes to ground it's a foul and a yellow.

However we may win against Luton which may become a six pointer at this stage of the season unless the defence bucks up.

You'd think that they were a premier league team and Everton had come up.

Shocking performance.

11 stevie wonders who can't pass (no disrespect to stevie wonder as he'd play better).

Someone elsewhere suggested this transfer window will see us finish in 13th. I think 16 or 17th would be a good outcome with these players. There are not 7 worse teams than us in this league. Not even close.

The one saving grace is, at least we now have some sort of goal threat. And Branthwaite has promise.

Positives: we've had good chances and if Danjuma had his head up we'd probably have been leading at half time as the pressure goes on them considerably. Beto looks like a very good signing. Branthwaite can play, he will be sold for 50m next summer if he carries on.

At least we are on the board, we need wins and soon though.

Branthwaite having his shirt pulled over his head and we don't even appeal? You make a big deal about that one and it goes to VAR. We just didn't bother.

And the foul on Danjuma is a penalty. The holding continued into the area. That's a penalty... And we quite meekly accepted the free kick.

On the game, I thought the team played with intensity, but should have put away some of the chances when we were 1-0 up. Beto was as good as Calvert-Lewin at his best - he played his heart out. Onana, Doucoure and Gana did make some poor mistakes, but they tried hard the whole game. Danjuma was very frustrating the 1st half, but I am glad that we have him in the team. Patterson and Young were both improved in their performances. Branthwaite had a great 2nd half, Tarkowski was extremely brave to put his head on the line - quite literally. Dyche had to make a decision - whether to defend the throw-in with 10 players or bring in Godfrey. In hindsight, Godfrey was so poor, he should have played with 10 players momentarily, but at least he was brave enough to make that decision.

And the referees for this game were shocking. Just before the we scored our first goal, Beto's goal-bound shot was clearly and deliberately deflected off the defender's elbow. How that was not even looked at by VAR is baffling. That is just 1 example, there were many more. Terrible refereeing.

Overall, 2 goals scored and an away point, is something to build on. It is going to be a hard, long season, but if we stay largely injury free to our key players, we should be okay.

I thought we were marginally the better side and should have put the game to bed in the first half. Positives ; Beto makes a massive difference, very strong and a nightmare for defenders. Branthwaite did well too he’s taking it in his stride and looks the part. Danjuma could have made more of his chances in he first half, but was always a menace and looking to attack and get behind.

Pickford literally saved the day at the end like he has done on numerous occasions, incredible save, maybe a massive one come next May.

It’s an away point and a start, we’ve got something to build off and players coming back. I’m certain that if we’d had Beto at the start of the season we would now be on seven points. So we have to keep the focus and work hard and the points will come.

Gana breaks up as many of our attacks as he does the opposition.

Mcburney , their most dangerous header of a ball ,is given a free hit in the last seconds on a corner, ridiculous.

"I might be very reactionary here but I don't think I ever wanna see Mason Holgate start in a Saints shirt again."

So started where he left off then. Following Southampton 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at lunch time.

Chin up. We look a much, much better side post-window. I thought we deserved all 3 points.

We were unlucky and surely that will cease at some point? We've played well in 3 of the 4 games, deserving more than we've reaped, and the side looks a hell of a lot better than it did 2-3 weeks ago.

Trust the Yank. 😜

It's early days. I still think we'll be ok this season.

The reffing was baffling, particularly the Danjuma foul on the edge of the box. While it started right on the line, it continued well into the box. What are the rules? Surely that’s a pen?

The referee was poor but what else is new in Everton games where the officials are concerned.

Still there were positives and it's nice to have a World class keeper.

With MacNeil to come back to full match fitness along with DCL and Harrison things should get better.

A point and two goals is a big improvement on the previous three games.

Beto is a big plus.

I guess the reconstruction the económical one starts at least.

Can't beat our main rivals for bottom three, I can not see were our first win is going to come from Bramly moor in the Championship is looking more likely every week. Just checked Luton at home on 30th September Might just scrape a win then.

The keeper dives to his right and saves that if Akanji is not there.

It's a start to the season.

UTFTs!

The Internationl break is upon us.

So - two weeks to "sort ourselves out".

Will it happen?

We dominated the Fulham and Wolves games and only lost because of our own failure to score.

With Beto and potentially DCL back, after the break along with McNeil and Harries can we fix this problem?

It seems we definitely need two new full backs and still lack a real playmaker in midfield - although Garner looks as though he might be able to fulfill that role.

Where else do we need to improve and how can we do it?

Thoughts and opinions?

Once again we snatched a draw from the jaws of victory.

I wish Dyche could get through to these players that you don’t sit back on a lead.

Referee was a disgrace.

Very impressed with Beto and Danjuma although his decision making was a bit suspect at times.

We need more variety and application from mf and the full back areas are our new negative the way Dyche plays.

Passing is abysmal. The more passes given away, immediately stops the attack, gives the opposition the initiative and reduces our own chances of creating a shot or even a goal. Passing is such a crucial part of the game, and the Everton team are failing badly at this basic skill.

Ashley Young, over 30 caps for England!!!!! And yet we see a display that a schoolboy would be ashamed of.

Honestly, the VAR is not improving itself or the game. It should be ditched if not immediately then at the end of the season. While humans are overseeing this waste of time it will never work. Bin it asap.

I think the up-and-coming home fixtures against Luton and Bournemouth will need to yield 6 points before going into the derby; otherwise, it's looking ominous even at this early stage.

Glad to hear Demarai Gray is staying at the club. He can provide the ammo for Norbert. Some good signs and overall a good window.

Getting rid of of Maupay and Holgate is top. Signing a striker was a must, and getting a fee for Alex Iwobi was a masterstroke even if we don't see that cash turned into a player.

It could have been any of the midfield 3 and put James where he's more effective.

On a different note, pleased to see Pickford performing at a high level. The goalkeeper some people were suggesting we sell…

Ideally we'd be sitting on 5-7 points by now, but the season starts today. Onwards and upwards.

Give Garner a chance through the middle. Dyche is a bit risk averse at times. Mix it up, Sean, you might find a decent formation that wins games.

What was more perplexing was how that is not a red card. I don't normally stand up for Van Dijk but in comparison, he was a bit unlucky to get a red card compared to today. At least he got the ball. The foul was from an inadvertent trip with his other foot. Their guy today just blatantly grabbed Danjuna's shirt and pulled him back, blatant cheating.

True there was a defender behind him but he was the other side of the box and in no position to stop Danjuma shooting if he had not been fouled. How much clearer a goal-scoring opportunity can you have? It certainly would have been our best chance of the match, except obviously for the goals themselves.

And then the FA booked him for being a gobby twat.

We can't keep blaming losses on bad luck and bent referees. We have got the most ineffective midfield in the whole league.

For what it is worth, I am a level 4 referee. The initial foul occurred outside the area but carried on into the area, the advantage should be played in that phase of play therefore penalty.

Do you agree??

Sick of the constant square pegs, round hole issues with every manager we get at this club.

Stubborn arse, Sean Dyche.

I know he's 32 but a 12-month contract with the option for another 12 months is surely within our financial means. We were offering £25m plus for Gnonto or were we?

He's probably a better fit on the right than Doucouré, Gana or Onana.

And to all the soothsayers who have written Alli off, I haven't. I'm rooting for him and my opinion won't change.

GOALS SCORED (2 in 4 games)
equates to 0.5 goals per game x 38 games = 19

GOALS LOST (9 in 4 games)
equates to 2.25 per game
x 38 games = 85.5

GOAL DIFFERENCE (projected)
85.5 less 19 = minus 66.5

POINTS GAINED (2 in 4 games)
equates to 0.5 goals per game
x 38 games = 19 points.

Absolutely terrible stats from our EFC, without doubt this is
our relegation season!

Judging by your sample size - ,Burnley will be bottom with 0 points and a -100 goal difference.

Luton will be 19th with 0 points and a -90 goal difference.

It will be out of us and Sheff Utd who should end up on around the same points. It's gonna be close…

"Ashley Young, you are the weakest link!!"

Burnley have played 3 matches (as the Luton one didn't go ahead, and it was Man City, Villa & Spurs. As we know, Everton took 0 ponts from Fulham, Wolves and Villa.

I think we stand a chance of staying up if central midfield can be sorted along with cutting out defensive mistakes. Steve Stone & Ian Woan could play, I just don't understand it.

Sean @240, bang on!

Brilliant extrapolation of some absolute dog-shite mathematical workings on an insignificant and unrepresentative sample size. Love it!

I'm as doom & gloom as the best of them but that was pure nonsense!

It's a long, long season and for me far too early to start spouting stats.

I'm not a referee of any class so I would bow to your expertise here. But is that really how advantage works? It was the same phase of play, not a seperate one. A foul that lasted a second or so, started outside, finished inside.

Having looked up the law (appears to be Rule 12), it appears a penalty is given if the offence carries on inside the box. I can't now see a video that shows whether that was the case. It seemed to when I was watching. But in that case, it's surely also a red card?

Granted he had the goalie to beat but so did Gordon in the Newcastle game and I'm not convinced Sheffield Utd's defender could have realistically prevented a shot from well inside the area and reasonably central.

These 4 fixtures last season – Fulham, Villa, Wolves and Lees (19th = 2nd promoted) – we got 1 point, scored 4 and conceded 8

Just hope we beat Arsenal otherwise we will be down on last season.

Absolutely dreadful refereeing and how, on earth, did 6 added minutes become 8?

Once again, Pickford dug us out a point at the death… and what a class act Branthwaite is!

After the international break I’m confident we’ll be mathematically safe by January, February at the latest.

Am I safe in assuming that today has been a day of champagne consumption and happy toasts at your house?

I know the feeling. I did something resembling a Cherokee war dance at the news I won't have to see Holgate in our shirt this season.

As for the player you referred to, what was his name again?

And to address someone else's comment regarding a red card for denial of a goalscoring opportunity, it clearly wasn't -- there was a defender cutting across in front of Danjuma who was positioned to challenge. No red.

Beto didn't get much direct service, but definitely looks the business. I think when our attack is fully up-and-running, we'll score goals.

I am a bit worried about the defense, which is usually what ultimately sinks clubs. Leeds and Leicester had a ton of attacking talent last season, but they were done in by their porous rearguards. Was pleased to see Patterson produce such a fine assist though - should help with his confidence.

This is exactly what happened and a penalty should have been awarded.

The ref showed his quality early on in his booking of Branthwaite inside the first ten minutes for a legitimate tackle. He also didn’t penalise the Sheffield keeper for clearly (from my position in the away end) handling outside his area. He even made a thumbs up to him.

Good on Branthwaite for not letting the early yellow impact his game. Looking better up front but our midfield is far too easy to play through. Patterson and Young are the weak points at the back. Thanks to Jordan for saving a point.

Patterson, despite his mistake for the second United goal, had his best game for the club and recorded his first assist.

Onana had a very good game on the whole, showing a willingness to get on the ball and linking well with Danjuma and Beto.

Branthwaite was calm, assured and the mainstay of the defence.

Beto was the player who made the most difference. His pace, strength and swift use of the ball enabled us quickly to move upfield. Not only does he hold the ball up, he also has the happy knack of stealing possession in tight situations. Very promising.

It was an ok performance and we’ll get better. I’m never down after getting something on the road. We need to massively improve results at home to get up the table.

There’ll no doubt be some odd results like last season (Arsenal at home, BHA away) so trying to predict the table now is a waste of time. Let’s get the injured fit and take it one game at a time.

One thing I will say though is Dyche needs to get half the team on crossing practice! If we want to get the best out of Beto and DCL we need to cross much better. Far too many under hit or over hit when we had men in the box today.

I’ll take the point and no injuries. Reload for Arsenal in two weeks time.

You disappoint me Jonathan, you left out no new stadium.

Beto and Danjuma were both very bright spots, considering that was Beto’s PL debut and he’s only been here 5 minutes he really looks like a great acquisition.

We need to stop teams from getting easy balls into our box, we’ve conceded most of our goals and chances from crosses that could have been cut out - I might send Mr Dyche an email! Are there any stats on ‘crosses conceded’? It seems to be a major flaw that needs stamping out.

Goals and a point, could have been plenty worse. Branthwaite had a fab game despite the early card, looks the real deal (touch wood).

Keep getting 1 or 2 goals per game and this squad will be mid-table. When all fit, there's plenty of goalscorers in the first 11 and on the bench to bring on. Probability of not getting a goal a game is really low.

As the team's moved from creating chances to putting them away, if the team can get to letting in an average of one goal a game, then things look a lot better. Get the goal difference probabilities right first per game - so on a repeatable basis, and then work on beautiful football.

Let's hope we see more improvement in the next few PL games.

We finally have some goals in the team. Just a shame we look so leaky at the back! But we have been a bit unlucky (2nd goal today was a freak). Harrison, Coleman, DCL, McNeill, Dobbin and Alli(?!) back after international break will help.

In Branthwaite, Onana and Beto we might just have our best spine in 5 or so years.

Noticing the problems with Chelsea and Newcastle has me wondering if we have covered the most crucial aspect of a rebuild. We now have a core of players who will play for each other and through team mistakes. McNeil coming in late just made it more noticeable. They continually raised their game throughout the match and were hitting the feet of their intended targets maintaining possession late.

Danjuma should have scored or set up two more and I would say Blades’ luck balanced out given their goals. Branthwaite was at fault for not staying tight on McBurnie on the first, otherwise great performance away for him. Beto looks like he will not tolerate pouting time away in a game. I truly believe we shipped out much of our mentality troubles. This side will come together and rock ass like the song.

It says a great deal that someone as awful as Iwobi (with his multitudes of random shite contributions followed by an equally random ‘creative pass') have led to an opinion that he was an influential and creative player. Just awful. Seriously, good riddance – and we got money for him. Blimey.

Many of our existing squad are equally piss-poor, and it will take seasons to remove the embedded shite, and prevent their influence over our onfield affairs.

Beto looks strong, Danjuma has decent potential, and a few other players seem to be stepping up to the mark, but the team generally appears to lack strategy, focus and effort. I believe that should be the focus of the manager, and sadly I think that Dyche is very poor and badly equipped for our club.

This is not based on the four matches of this season, but his career over recent times. He is not a winner and, with Burnley, won only 4 matches in his last season and 10 in the one before that.

He is stubborn and inflexible, and the idea that we want to scrape by season after season is unforgivable. After seeing the start to our season, I worry that he does not have the strategic acumen to really improve anything or ensure our players are held to account.

Oh, and Pickford. I agree with the sentiments of many on here. He produces staggering saves and ‘keeps us in the match' at times, but sadly I think he costs us just as many goals with a lack of judgement and unerring ability to glide like a swan through the air and completely miss the ball, or position himself dreadfully. Several top clubs swapped goalies in the last few weeks and not one came in for Pickford because he just isn't reliable enough.

We are sadly in a position where sometimes we look at a couple of our players and express views that they are brilliant just because they're a bit better than the other dross around them. Just because they're occasionally rolled in glitter doesn't mean they shouldn't be flushed away.

I have been banging on about our past inability to find a team mate but today I thought there were long balls, cross-field balls finding blue shirts… But apparently not — I must have been seeing things according to the bile being passed out to players who came from behind to get a draw. I always thought it was "get two up then capitulate and lose 3-2". But then what do I know?

Perhaps there is a pharmacist on here who can recommend a chill pill to be given out at the turnstiles? Thank Christ I've got a beard or I might be looking for razor blades after reading 240+ posts most of which got me thinking perhaps it wasn't the Everton game I watched.

However, it showed some maturity that the booking didn't affect his game. Remained in control and strong in his play, I never felt once that he was going to lose focus and get sent off.

Bang on with everything you've said there.

I must give a shout-out for Patterson as well. He had a 45-minute nightmare against Doncaster and today he started shakily. But, as the game went on, he started to show his potential.

We have to be patient with these kids. Tarkowski and Coleman need to take them under their wings and coax them along.

As usual, playing catch up after 1 point from a possible 12 after 4 games, 3 of which would surely be classed as winnable. First few fixtures could hardly been any kinder and yet here we are once again staring a relegation battle in the face.

Absolute disgrace what we're putting up with here — beyond a joke.

My take is that, whilst the performance was markedly improved after the midweek game, it still wasn't a hungry enough or ruthless enough performance to take all the points and the fact that we 'nearly' lost what turned out to be a hard-won point right at the end is worrisome.

Applauding the fact that professional footballers were able to find each other with their passes, most of the time, is strange for me, as that's what they are paid to do. We can't demand victories from any Everton side, but we can bemoan the fact that we're not blessed with a team that can so easily spurn opportunities to win games that are there for the winning.

More difficult encounters await us in the future, and perhaps the team will rise to the occasion and win a few against sides that are superior to our team but, at the moment, it might be more important to win when we look to be the superior team on the day.

“Kenwright has been in hospital apparently.”

What an absolute load of bollocks. You obviously missed the Telegraph article last week about Bill working tirelessly.

The lying bastard has ruined Everton and everyone – everyone on here or wherever – has the right to criticise. Regardless. If you don't like it, tough shit.

Thelwell runs transfers. I'm satisfied with what I've been told and the source. If you don't like it..tough shit...😆

Moshiri and Usmanov have killed Everton. Admittedly enabled by Kenwright.

"This may be reactionary, but I'm pretty sure I never want to see Holgate start in a Saints shirt ever again."

Sounds like the loan is off to a good start.

Bang on the money, could not agree more. 👍

I think you are correct that advantage does not apply here but not that a foul's punishment is based only on where it started. In the case of a penalty, a foul that starts to be committed outside the box, but continues inside it, is a penalty. Law 12 in the FA handbook. Our ref friend motivated me to look up the exact rule. That doesn't apply if the foul is completed outside the box, but the fall is inside.

I haven't had a chance to review it again, but my recollection is that the shirt tugging continued inside the box, even if only on the line. If so, penalty.

I'd also have to re-look at it to see if you are right about a covering defender that saved the red card. Again, my recollection is that the one there was behind the ball, but not close to it, over towards the penalty spot. Danjuma would have had a clear shot from a not especially narrow angle, was not running away from goal, nor was there much doubt he would have been in control of the ball, without the foul. At least that is what I recall seeing when I watched it.

The rule wording as amended reads “If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.”

Apology to follow?

I still think the ref had a shocker, repainting the line for the wall where the players had crept forward to was insane!

It's a bit of a weird case in that the 'continuation principle' seems to be more in the case of a shirt pull continuing into the box. In the 'olden days' that would be a free kick but is now a penalty.

This one wasn't really a shirt pull. It was an outright foul... He dragged him down in one movement and it happened just outside the box.

I probably haven't worded that perfectly. As an analogy it might be similar to a slide tackle outside the box where the contact between players continues into the box due to the defender continuing to slide and the attacker continuing to fall/ride the challenge.

But the hand is still in contact when Danjuma is crossing into the penalty area.

It's possibly a grey area... but the VAR had it sorted in a matter of seconds, which made it feel a bit automatic. Everton = No penalty.

We have had goals and penalties taken off us, ridiculous yellow and red cards given against us, suffered loads of petty decisions over the last few seasons which have affected us badly.

When is our club going to speak out or do you need to be one of the big spending clubs who can do whatever they like to be able to do so? First thing I worry about every game is who the match officials are.

The situation is beyond ridiculous. Yes, our club has been badly run but I firmly believe the Premier League have helped to push us in a downward direction.

We scored 2(!!!) goals and managed not to lose today, and nobody got injured. Never much to celebrate as a Blue so I'll take any excuse to get pissed. Cheers all! 🍻

Yes, that is the wording as I understand it. I still haven't seen a replay and close up of what happened but if he was still pulling/holing on the line or inside, yes it's a pen and we've been robbed.

I have now seen a more long lens view of the incident and the covering defender was closer than I thought so a red card is moot, but I still think Danjuma would have got his shot away and that is a goal-scoring opportunity.

I don't think it possible for the defender to have blocked unless Danjuma paused, and the rules do not assume he would. Marginal, though.

Must admit, however, that I'm not as familiar with FA laws as FIFA, and I know they differ a bit in how referees are expected to make calls.

Still, my impression at the time was that it was not a penalty or a red card, and the replay seemed to confirm it.

And Mark, the red card rule is quite clear -- there has to be nobody closer to the goal than the attacker when the foul is committed, no chance of any defender interceding. Yes, Danjuma would have had a good chance of getting off a sharp-angle shot from his first touch, but that's not a "clear goal-scoring opportunity" according to the rule. He wasn't in alone.

Looks like we have a real player on our hands in Beto, Sheffield Utd's centre-backs are on the bigger side and they were still bouncing off him, good luck to the smaller framed centre-halves in the league.

Good to see Danjuma score again; he's slowly showing us what he's about and could be a real danger man for us this season.

Onana was MotM for me, he was sharp on the ball, got forward, but also helped defensively – just needs to maintain that level consistently now.

Now a 2-week break to try get everyone back fit and a full squad to chose from (Gray included).

UTFT.

I had a good chuckle last night before bed reading all the Southampton supporters on Twitter fuming and begging us to take Holgate back after his first performance...

Sorry, lads, he's your problem now.

But to clarify the DOGSO rule (denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity), there is nothing that says it cannot be a red card offense if a defender is closer to goal.

What it does is ask the referee to make both subjective and objective decisions based on 4 criteria, including the number of defenders present and their location, the distance to goal from where the offense took place, the direction of play, and the ability of the player who is fouled to retain possession of the ball.

The problem here is that there's no hard-and-fast rule that says all 4 factors need to be present for a red card, and even if there were, some of those criteria we referees are considering are subjective.

It sounds to me like this play we're talking about at least had enough ambiguity regarding the position of defenders and the direction of play to mean that the VAR could not determine it was a clear and obvious error — but also that the referee could have determined Danjuma was close enough to goal, with enough control, and would've had time to take a clear shot on goal that could've gone in that he could've gone red in the first place.

Point being that, just like most red card decisions, there is ambiguity sometimes. But to the original point, just because a defender is 12 yards from goal and the player 18 yards doesn't mean it can't be DOGSO red if the attacker would've had an obvious goal-scoring opportunity were it not for the foul.

Other unrelated comment: Glad we got a point, that McNeil is back, that Danjuma and Beto appear to be doing positive offensive things, and that Branthwaite is cementing his place. We may generally be shit, but those things mean we might again be less shit than 3 other teams. Ah to be an Evertonian!

I thought Patterson was as poor yesterday as he has been all season. His cross for the goal was the only positive contribution he has made in 5 matches.

Patterson and Mykolenko remind me of some of the most memorable full-backs of the past — Earl Barrett, John O'Kane, Terry Phelan, David Burrows.

Who sanctioned the £31 million we paid for them has almost become as big a mystery as the location of the Arteta money.

It is way too early to be giving up on him. I see truckloads of talent there, and I remain convinced that, by the time he's played 100 games, he'll be a top-quality fullback.

Love you, mate, but Patterson is shite. He's 21 not 15: can't tackle, pass, cross and has no concept of positioning. I'd sooner have Hibbert back fishing rod and all aged 40 plus.

Re our Nathan, after 1,900 minutes on the job? Yeah, he ain't good. Yet. But I'll stand on my assessment. By the end of this semester at the University of Coleman, he'll be making us proud.

Nothing would make me happier but I’ll believe it when I see it.

But here is the problem: on one side we have Young who, despite his experience, cannot match a youngster's speed or reaction time, he gets left for dead on a one-v-one with a fast winger.

On the other side you have a young full-back with no cover in Garner, too often seen ambling back, playing wide is not his game and too often leaves Patterson exposed or with two players.

Stop the crosses.

Put Mykolenko back in place of Young, move Garner to the middle or as cover for Gana. Put McNeil where Garner was wide, in front of Patterson. (McNeil has a motor that never stops and is a great cover for Patterson.)

Danjuma on the other wide side, Calvert-Lewin and / or Beto in the middle.

You know it makes sense… lol!

I'm thinking the same. Dyche's defensive management is suspect: crosses not cut out, players out of position, players exposed, poor tracking back, and no accounting for lack of pace.

All the goals against are similar and are a result of these failings. It all gravitates to a deeper defensive line.

I feel Patterson is getting exposed at both ends of the pitch because James Garner is simply not a wide player and I think it's the wide players who are going to become massively important once Dyche switches to a 4-4-2 in a lot of games.

I take it you are talking about Darren Hind, a man who I found wrote on these pages, exactly like a lot of people speak whilst watching Everton at Goodison Park, or as you say, Paul, wherever we happen to be playing.

The biggest compliment I could give Darren is he reminded me of the very defiant Evertonians that I used to remember as a child. People who helped make me fall in love with Everton FC.

Like you, I think Dyche will be thinking 4-4-2 more often from now on whether that's the obvious two or Danjuma playing forward in a superannuated 10.

That means, I hope, one of two things, preferably Garner moving inside by Gana or moving back to right-back with McNeil in front of him and two from Gana, Doucouré, and Onana in the middle.

Gana will be so much more back to his old self if he doesn't have to continually mop up after the Doucouré - Onana fest.

Two genuine wide players with two up front gives me real hope. Thanks for making me think of that, Tony. Left-back remains a real issue, however, and Tarkowski & Branthwaite have to stay together.

Dyche is still on a learning curve but he has impressed me over these last two games. He seems to be getting more flexible and creative, subs alone show that.

But for me it would be nice if he had a little humble pie in that boozer near Burnley (where him and Woan still go, I hear) and get Gray back on board and it would be nice if Gray behaved himself, knuckled down, and got on with his job like the people who provide the money for his fat wages.

No way are we going down.

UTFT

I don't think we'll see a classic 4-4-2 (with Beto and Calvert-Lewin up top together) apart from very late in games where we're desperate for a goal.

More likely variations on 4-2-3-1, 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1. It'll come together when Harrison and McNeil are both fit, which isn't long now.

Pickford was unlucky on the post rebound goal, but brilliant on the double save, and I think that Patterson is still learning his trade, but I can’t fault his commitment.

Overall, I can see progress in our new recruits and the balance on the team, and as others say, we have players coming back. Now, let’s hope that we can put the dire seasons of the past to bed and improve our league position.

I'd like to know your opinion of Onana, to me he's very much the weakest point of the central midfield, just doesn't do half as much as he should be doing, standing by without any movement for lots of the time during the match, the potential he has got he hardly uses it and I'm sticking with that until I see any improvement- - - - big improvement!

The tactical formation hasn’t functioned well, as Garner and Danjuma don’t know how to track back in that position and Onana/Doucs lack positional discpline.

When you add Patterson and Tarks losing track of runners into the box, then suddenly the defence looks a mess.

Not sure which part you are questioning ot perhaps his thought process so apologies if I am stating the obvious.

If my memory is correct, he got attracted to the player who made the assist so was out of position. Schoolboy error

Great post! I love this perfectly apposite paragraph:

We are sadly in a position where sometimes we look at a couple of our players and express views that they are brilliant just because they're a bit better than the other dross around them. Just because they're occasionally rolled in glitter doesn't mean they shouldn't be flushed away.

If we could distil that into a pithy four-word motto in dead Italian, I think we'd be onto something!

Actually, I found the contests between both centre forwards and the opposing centre halves quite entertaining. Not one of them let themselves down in my opinion.

I agree with Mike G about Patterson - he has the makings of a top right back. I think Dyche should persist with him. The problem is who plays in front of him as Tony says because much as I like Garner he is not the answer. Perhaps Harrison will be.

As for Doucoure, he scored our last (and most important) goal last season and our first (much needed) goal of this season. He is not the most gifted footballer but in my opinion he makes up for it with his determination, persistence, and the amount of ground he covers over the course of a game.

I thought Onana had a good game yesterday. He is gifted but if he wants to reach his full potential he needs to take a leaf out of Doucoure’s book.

The much maligned Gueye had a good game yesterday also. So if it was up to me Garner is the one who will loose his spot when Harrison is fit unless Dyche is going to stick with one up top.

The centre halves pick themselves now - I would prefer Mykolenko over Young at left back. As with Patterson I think we have to persist with him because he is only young and has the potential to become a top Left back.

I took heart from this performance; every player looked committed and up for it so I can see the green shoots of an Everton team developing.

A defensive calamity yet again, and collectively similar to the way we conceded against Fulham on the opening day maybe?

Maybe he would have been better making a little foul with hindsight, and Pickford was also all at sea, when that shot went in, adding to a host of collective positioning errors, imo.

99% of good defending comes from defending as a unit, and although it was a fast break, I couldn’t understand the position of Tarkowski, which gave Patterson no other real alternative but to get sucked in towards the ball?

I was watching the game whilst having more than a few pints, and I never had my glasses on either, so maybe my judgement was wrong

Pickford Patterson Branthwaite Tarkowski Young
Harrison Garner Doucoure Gueye McNeil
Beto or DCL

Garner in the centre of midfield with Gueye is absolutely key for me. We were at our best at the end of last season when Garner was played there and everyones performances seemed to improve, especially Gueyes and Doucoures.

Garner is our best passer of the ball and is a must for centre mid. He is what we are missing in that position.

No coincidence by the the way that Pattersons form suffered because Iwobi was removed from the wide right position.

He has blotted his copybook with the decision to leave Gray, Keane and Dobbin offf the bench yesterday. His first change came bang on 70 minutes as usual. He is an upgrade on Lampard but then so would a few who post on here

Might not deal with crosses but by god his shot stopping is out of this world.

Beto looks a handful. Good at holding the ball up and link play, as well as having a turn of pace on him. We have more forward options now, especially with McNeil back. We'll start picking up the points.

The midfield still concerns me, although I thought Onana had one of his better games yesterday.

I have to comment on the officials.

Shirt pulling has always grated me and seems to get ignored. I think in the build up to first goal, we could have had a shout for two penalties. And then Branthwaite almost had his shirt removed, let alone pulled later. Nothing.

And then foam-gate. Honestly. Rather than move the Sheffield United wall back to the original line the Ref himself had already marked, he makes a new line from where they were stood. You couldn't make it up.

A callout for young Jarrad. Great performance. His anticipation of the game is really good. Let's remember his age and be patient with him. What a prospect.

He'd have come a close to man of the match alongside Beto.

But that has to go to Pickford. A few great saves and then defied gravity and the laws of physics at the end, causing me to stop breathing momentarily. On a par with that Chelsea moment at Goodison.

Yesterday's game was a bit frantic at times but enjoyable. I tend to get bored by all this passing around for 20 minutes before attempting a shot such as way the Man City play. But if we ever start to play like that and win trophies then I'll get on board :)

That is one of our biggest questions.
Do we play Garner at right back (until Coleman is back) and deprive the midfield of our best passer?

My opinion is definitely not. Garner is a midfield player and we desperately need him in our midfield. Playing him at right back prevents the midfield to function at its best and in the long run will mess up Garners game. Something we have done to many players over the years.

Patterson is a right back and he will get better with games and when the midfield starts to function properly. So I would keep him in his position.

Keep the round pegs in the round holes!

Beto gives us that little extra in attack and coupled with Danjuma there is no reason why the goals shouldn't flow.

Harrison and MacNeill will only strengthen the options along with DCL and Chermitti.

Gray will be a decent benchwarmer as long as he is in the fold and the only problem will be sorting out the defensive problems.

Doucoure was marking empty space on that first goal and needs to be switched on when tracking back.

The manager! There's talk that we should change the manager. I think it's daft to talk of sacking him as we are not likely to, for two reasons. One,he kept us up without any funds to bring in players, and now he's brought in some exciting forward, goalscoring players, Two we couldn't likely agree a deferred compensation to him and his staff payment. we'd have to pay him up front. Then pay another manager to come here and provide a team made up totally of another manager's choice and without any hope of bringing in players he wants. Three, is there a better manager out there, who is good enough to guarantee we'd stay up?

Sergio Asenjo is available on a free. Played over 250 games for Villareal and over 300 games in La Liga, so obviously no slouch. Age 34, a good age for a GK and won't mind being a back up. A 1 year deal, with option of another. Pickford needs competition. He calmed down a lot when Olsen was brought in and again when Begovic came in.

I think Jonathan (307) adequately explains the criteria for a red card for a denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. I would add two other points

1) As Jonathan says, it can be quite subjective. I can illustrate this by referring you to a red card given to Joe Worrall for a foul on Fernandes just on the edge of the box in the Man U Forest game last week. Should be easy to google. I am not convinced that represented a clearer goal scoring opportunity than Danjuma. See what you think. It really is subjective, either the goalie or the other defender may well have reached it first. What is for sure is that VAR won't overturn a decision on fine margins such as these.

2) It matters not at all what foul occurs in judging a red card. All it needs to be is for a foul which would have resulted in a free kick (direct or indirect). It is apparently different if the foul happens inside the penalty area. If the penalty is given, then the goal scoring opportunity is not denied, hence it is usually just a yellow (of course, with exceptions such as serious foul play)

I've finally has a chance to review the incident with a slow mo and my conclusion is 1) it was a pen, the foul continued to and just past the 18 yard line and 2) it was probably not a clear enough goal scoring opportunity so no red card- but then neither I think was Fernandes'.

Luck of the draw

The only decision he got right was waving play on for our goal and that booking of Doucoure(?) for going shoulder to shoulder? The mind boggles.

I agree re Patterson. It will be much easier for him once he has a proper winger to play with.

I agree on Patterson. I think he will come good. He's got a lot to learn but is young enough to do that.

I remember a lot of scepticism about a young Seamus Coleman and even Leighton Baines. Give the lad time.

I had an interesting debate with my son over one of their goals. His opinion was Patterson was at fault and got pulled out of position.

Mine was, yes. But that is because Doucoure was 10 yards behind the player he should have been tracking.

Maybe I'm getting a bit old school, but I was taught that if you smell danger and are closest to the ball, you have to go.

I was still waking up replaying that Pickford save, still thinking it had gone in.

We're off the mark and on our way.

Still can't believe the foam/wall incident. Ridiculous.

I would think a better option would be Danjuma, Beto and Calvert-Lewin in a 4-3-3. Calvert-Lewin has played on the right side of the attack before so it's not as if he is unfamiliar with playing in that position.

Oddly our problem will be accommodating Beto, Calvert-Lewin, Danjuma, McNeil and Harrison into whatever formation Dyche settles on. We have gone from almost no options to quite a few.

As for yesterday's game, I thought we played okay. Beto has finally given us a real physical, not to mention pacey presence up front. He really worked their centre-backs.

Danjuma scored again. Branthwaite looked good and Onana had a decent game. Pickford performed his usual gravity defying miracles in goal.

Some fans really need to stop thinking we are playing a club's name rather than its players. We have no right to defeat clubs just because they don't have a big reputation behind them.

Any team of professional players will always be hard to beat. Look at Chelsea losing to Nottm Forest. All that money spent and they are only 3 points better off than we are. Big spending Newcastle thumped by Brighton. Only 2 points ahead of us.

There are still 34 games to go. Our next one is Arsenal at Goodison. We have beaten them at Goodison in the last two seasons when it seemed we had no chance at all. I think our side will be stronger than the ones put out for both those games so hopefully we can make it three times.

I've got a lot of time for your posts and your knowledge of players across the globe. But when you mention the spine of the team, Branthwaite Onana and Beto, you're way off the mark about Onana.

Am I missing something about this lad? I thought he started great yesterday and then, as he often does, just went missing, popping up every now and then with a decent pass or a good tackle.

Doesn't get involved enough over the course of a game and I'm always waiting for him to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and boss things.

Where's the player who bossed the midfield in Dyche's first game? Coming out the ground that day, I thought "Yes, he's gonna be a player now, this kid!"

Unfortunately he's just reverted back to type.

I blame Thelwell for not having the foresight to address our lack of creativity in the midfield and Onana is as guilty as anyone in there.

Garner is no wide player but I'm yet to be convinced by him on the odd occasion he's played in the middle. I'd personally play him right-wing back because he looked great there.

No, Sam, for me, it's a No for Onana, but for Branthwaite and Beto, spot on. Get Beto up to speed and he's going to be a beast, Branthwaite looks coolness personified and I hope he's a rock for years to come.

The other solution is Mykolenko at left-back (if fit) and Young at right-back.

Why don't they just move the Newcastle game back to Saturday with a 3 pm kick off? Why do Sky have to dictate every bloody game teams play?

They don't give a shit, all that matters is the money that both games bring in. Scandalous but says everything about modern football.

Different topic but did you notice that Sheffield Utd didn't read out our team before the game, didn't show any replays of our goals, and conveniently switched the scoreboard to advertising mode for around 5 mins after each of our goals.

I appreciate that clubs will do all they can to make the atmosphere hostile for the visitors but it just came across as very petty and silly to me.

Nobody resigns anymore

They could have chosen B'mouth V Chelsea for 17:30 Sat. ( No travel issues there ).

and for Sunday Spurs V Sheff United or god forbid Fulham V Luton. These are Prem Teams so what's the issue. Are they saying some EPL teams are not worth the bother ! I thought it was the best and most competitive league IN THE WORLD.

IFAB's Law 13 states: “Where three or more defending team players form a 'wall', all attacking team players must remain at least 1 m (1 yd) from the 'wall' until the ball is in play.”

That's what his second line spray was for!

Okay, he might not have pushed the wall back far enough to his first line, but he didn't draw the second line for their benefit, it was to stop our players standing on top of the wall.

Have another look at it…

You sound like a kopite: "people will have hotels and transport booked". I thought that was kopite behaviour?

Leave the tickets to us local scousers if you can't get to a game with 2 weeks notice. I can't get a ticket anymore and live within 2 miles of Goodison Park.

Royston Vernon indeed :)

Onana is a funny one. He started well and seems occasionally to have something great about him, but he’s certainly close to invisible at times too.

Again, I’d sell him if someone felt he was worth £50m, as he’s just not stepping up and, as such, is expensive baggage.

I think we have had a few players in recent times who have played well (and put in effort) when it suited them - most often when other clubs appeared to be interested in the them.

I think Onana is probably one of those. He’s taking our money until something ‘better’ comes along - and plenty of money at that. He may well be invisible until he sees the move and tries to impress a bit.

Sadly, I think DCL falls very much into that category too (or did). He seemed to be playing to get away at one point - numbers like £60m were floated for him at one point (Man U?) - and he seemed to take his foot off the gas when that didn’t happen. I think he believes he’s ‘better’ than Everton and finds it easier to be in the treatment room than performing for us. The shame of it now is that we probably wouldn’t get £6m for him because he presents himself as being so damned fragile. If he were a horse they’d have shot him a few years ago and buried him with his handbag.

The danger in all of the above is, of course, that we sell players and the money is once again misused, either in buying players who are dreadful, or allowing the funds to slip back into ‘central’ funding. I’m afraid I do think the club has been very badly managed at a Directors and owners level. The more I look, the more I believe that Moshiri was something of a front for Usmanov, and is now well out of his depth. All previous (recent) Directors are culpable for our present position but, in my opinion, ‘poorly Bill’ appears more suited to explaining himself than the others.

We had the Rondon replacement howler recently. This tops that by a considerable margin.

I'm pretty sure Rob was thinking of "others" rather than himself.

Your post makes you look like what you accused Rob of, to be honest.

Do you think you should get preference over someone who lives 4 miles away, 10 miles away?

I thought Godfrey, was the man but, after his Covid illness, he couldn't keep up with me granny.

Get a membership then – like all other non-season-ticket owning Blues.

I'll go one further than Brian and say Rob was 'definitely ' thinking of others when he made that comment, I've met him a few times a while back and he's a top bloke.

My guess is he'll be travelling there and back with his mates on the day of the game regardless.

I certainly think Onana should be doing a lot more than he is at the present, as for big clubs wanting him there doesn't seem to be any of them coming into buy him, he'll have to show a lot more than he has up to now.

As for Dominic I think it has been a case that he was rushed back too soon when Benitez was manager and he hasn't been properly fit over the last two seasons, hopefully he will come back after the break and stay in the team, with Beto allowing him a break now and again.

I thought that he would fetch a good price if he was sold two years ago, now he will have to prove himself all over again.

You are definitely correct about the club being badly run, the inmates running the asylum as they say.

Calling Rob a kopite is a huge insult to a man who has blue blood running through his veins, a die-hard home and away supporter.

There must be better language to articulate your point, an apology is due.

He needs to position himself in front of the Defence and stop attacks and midfield runners. Too often we concede and he's not even in the camera shot.

Brent made the point that some of the possession will take pressure off an exhausted back line. Finding the way to cover transitions on turnovers without losing all defensive shape at the back is the focus right now.

Tony, I bet you he has red blood – always suspected the b'ard of South Liverpool!

And I bet he now sinks my Bramley-Moore Dock pedalo.

You know I jest, Rob. I don't know a bigger blue (literally and metaphorically).

Hi John (281), I think too often some fans attend games with a pre-ordained narrative that because player x has been poor in previous matches, he will inevitably be poor in his next game. Evidence to the contrary is ignored with every mistake, misplaced pass or shot seized upon as proof of ineptitude.

Patterson is an example from yesterday's match. I think he has generally been poor since he arrived at the club. Yesterday however I thought he started well, made a mistake for the second United goal but then knuckled down giving a solid performance with several driving runs, careful use of the ball and a very good cross for our equaliser.

I hope he maintains that level in the coming weeks. If he does he will be well worth his place in the team.

As regards formations, I think it is worth mentioning football is now a sixteen-man game. Bearing that in mind, once he has something like his full squad available, Dyche will be able to use 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3, 5-3-2 etc switching to different permutations within matches depending on the state of the game, the opposition and so on.

You could always have used the very well known Rodney Marsh approach coz you can't get banned for just "thinking" something surely. 😉

For those who haven't heard it, Marsh once said to a ref "Hey ref, if I called you a cunt you'd send me off wouldn't you?"

The ref said, "Like a shot, yes."

Marsh said "But if I just thought it you couldn't do anything could you?"

Ref said "No I can't do anything about what you think."

So Marsh said "Well, in that case, I think you're a cunt" and trotted off. 🤣

I will constantly bellow, “Another for my kopite friend!”

😂😂😂

File that gem under ugoddabefuckinkiddinme!!!

I’m in a Dunkin Donut in St Augustine, FL. I just laughed out loud and got a few looks.

I also can only naturally assume that Mr Styles is new to TW!

I went to the game with my son and his two lads (Blues, of course) and two sons-in-law and another grandson who are Blades. Had a few pints before and after the game with various Sheffield Utd fans, all good people who have the same sort of affiliation to their Club that we have to ours.

It was quite emotional to be sitting with my family behind the same goal I was behind for my first visit to the ground with my Dad and brother in 1970. Alan Ball scored into that goal, unfortunately so did two Blades’ players to knock us out of the FA Cup. I told my youngest grandson that there was a cricket pitch on one side of the ground at that time, I’m not sure he believed me.

Yesterday, we were sitting amongst the home fans so, unfortunately, the boys had to go through that awful rite of passage of not looking displeased when the opposition score. It will be character-forming for them.

As to the match, it was enjoyable to watch, but I had a recurring thought that it resembled a Championship game. Plenty of effort, some skill, but a distinct lack of real class.

Beto looks a useful player, a big strong lad who put in plenty of effort. His left peg looks unlikely to score many screamers, but he’s definitely a presence. The long ball to him looks like a tactic that will be used, I hope it remains an option, not the default pass.

Branthwaite was very good again. A couple of Blades said they were impressed with Onana, but I think they were talking about the things he did, some of which were excellent. Unfortunately, there was a lot of time during the match when he was doing very little, I suspect opposing supporters miss that element of a player’s game.

We were opened up very, very easily for their goals, and we desperately lacked creativity in midfield. I can only hope that McNeil (who was lively when he came on) and Harrison (when fit) can provide that.

So, you can't get a ticket? Then do what I had to do yesterday and pay £100 for one off a ticket agency. Madness? Absolutely but my point is I got a ticket…

This could well be your first time on here, but I – and obviously many others on here - feel that an apology to Rob Halligan is required here. I personally can confirm that:

1. Rob is a dyed-in-the-wool Blue Scouser.
2. He travels home and away.
3. He was captured in the crowd at Sheffield yesterday when we scored our second by the TV cameras.
4. He is fucking huge!

Shame on you, lad.

Nice to see Paul Kelly on here btw. If Rob Dolby is reading, what do you think of my mates lad Branthwaite now??

Regarding its legality with respect to ToffeeWeb's posting guidelines, Ian escapes on a technicality (because it's a pet peeve of mine). Saying someone "sounds like a Kopite" or is exhibiting "Kopite behaviour" is not calling them a Kopite, per se; it's inferring they're acting like one.

Regardless, the righteous outrage just ends up consuming the thread so let's just move on.

Love watching the old Big Match Revisited on a Saturday morning when fans used to attend games wearing their school kecks or work overalls because that was all they had, hotels my arse.

So we should just set aside all the tickets for locals who are too lazy, stupid or cheap to buy them ahead of time like everyone else?

If a fan moves away is he no longer entitled to support the club?

Jamie, I'll be having a Guinness with Rob in a few weeks. We'll toast you. Maybe.

Mr Styles point is moot because the percentage of locals attending Goodison Point is probably greater than at most clubs; however, there is a point on which he is correct, as not everybody has access to a bank account, or the credit rating to pay monthly for a season ticket.

I hope that, when the new stadium opens, some provision is made for people who want to purchase tickets on the day, be they local or not.

it's heading to the point where biometrics will be required, if people accept it. Might even be some surprises in store at the new stadium.

Premier League rules stipulate there has to be a certain percentage of tickets available for "general" sale for any home game.

There will be an increased number on general sale at the new stadium purely because of the increased capacity, but the club will no doubt sell every season ticket they can – meaning the percentage available for open sale will remain the same, especially when you take into consideration the waiting list for season tickets.

I agree, it's the 'brave new world' where we're all identified at whichever venue we happen to be attending, even a trip to the shops is now deemed a place to be filmed and identified, there is no hiding place.

At least if the worst happens to Everton, I can live out my remaining time, living off-grid in the woods or somewhere… mind you, there's a fair chance that some of the animal life will be fitted with cameras and recording gear too.

Brave is not the best word for it, eh? It may yet turn a little but I don't hold out too much hope.

Brian, however it divides out, competition for tickets of all types is going to be fierce.

In my post 395, I did NOT type Rob was fucking huge, I typed 6 asterix's (not seven) then huge.

Someone has altered my post - for dramatic effect perhaps? - or have you got Ai operating here which assumed (correctly as it turns out) what I was inferring???

It's bloody worse than Alexa and Microsoft Bing if that's the case!!

If you are bold enough to think of the word — then use it!

If you are frightened of offending somebody, then don't use it.

But let's not do the asterisks – it's just a poor cop-out.

And Keith, sorry but you did actually use seven asterisks.

In the 1970 World Cup England's second-best goalie, Gordon Banks, made "the save of the century" to deny Pele a headed goal;

https://youtu.be/ngE9RCAdWaE?feature=shared

McBurnie got a full run at the ball and made a textbook full-power header into the ground, such headers adding more uncertainty for the goalie, from nearer the goal than Pele was.

Not only did Jordan match Banksy but he then excelled further with no time at all to think, working off pure instinct.

He's a genius shot-stopper and an excellent goalie!

World class, our Jordan, when he produces stuff like that.

Troy Landry would be sure pleased to see you.

World class save. But yet again a Sheffield Utd player (Chris Basham) held Ashley Young's shirt to prevent him challenging McBurnie.

This was a constant theme throughout the match, never picked up by the ref, who re-drew a 10-meter line because they were standing in front of the original one, Jarrad had his shirt swopped at a corner, and both our bookings were perfect tackles.

The referee was an absolute joke, and I'm only surprised (or am I?) that MotD, Dyche etc did not go to town on it.

And Keith 437, that really hurts man. ;)

No matter how many times I watch it back, I still can't believe how Jordan pulled that off. It's still waking me up.

Peter Mills, great comments.

Ian, think before you post.

Rob is one of the biggest (not just physically) Evertonians I have met. Both in the pubs around County Road and on the concourses around the country. In the Spoons near the Blind Beggar with his mates and Brent before heading to West Ham. Two painful trips to Bournemouth. And we're going to Europe.

Rob lives in south Liverpool. If we're talking postcodes, my heritage is L24 and L19. Speke and Garston. I later lived in Woolton (L25). My journey to Goodison used to take an hour or so.

It never stopped me following Everton. Just as now living in west London doesn't. And a "home" match is nearly a 500-mile round trip. Now it takes me an entire day. I don't think that makes me a Kopite.

The West Country Blues and the southern based Evertonians who I meet regularly for away fixtures. Pure dedication to Everton.

If we want to expand this club, we need to expand the reach of the club.

Loyal and devoted supporters are what we are built on, but we should never dismiss those who put the miles in.

And those who get up at ridiculous hours around the globe to follow. They have equal devotion.

Meanwhile, I've got to change my train as they've changed the date.

Mike Gaynes is across from the States this month and I'm looking forward to meeting him.

Now there is devotion.

I'd be careful of criticising supporters who follow this club wherever and through whatever. And wherever they are and how they can.

One of the first thoughts that flashed into my mind (sorry, I wasn't being petty at all, it just did) was of the people who constantly lambast and lampoon JP because, apparently, he costs us so many games and is not great at every single thing that a keeper is asked to do.

Can someone on here - preferably one of JP's expert sharpshooter critics - please name one keeper in the Premier League who is completely capable at all aspects of the keeper's portfolio? The Brazillian lads at City and over there are not. Nor is Pope. Ramsdale? Absolutely not!

Impossible, I know, but it would be really interesting to see the balance between points saved by JP and points lost by him. My hunch is that the saved column would be a lot larger than the other one.

JP will always attract criticism, character-assassination, and caricature because he is England's keeper. He is so for a reason (or reasons). Keepers always seems to get stick in large part I sometimes think because more than a few of them are mavericks (who else was throwing things at the tele when Martinez was being a fucking asshole (I typed that MK did not remove my asterisks!) in the World Cup?).

They are in the firing line in more ways than one. Some of them don't always help themselves and JP was like that sometimes but not now seemingly as he piles on the years and kids - I absolutely love that video of him and that little lad who idolised him and prefer to think that this is our JP.

We should count ourselves fortunate that JP is our keeper as long as we have him. The no one came in for him train of thought does not cut it, I'm afraid, as (1) you don't know that for sure (2) someone apparently did (3) perhaps JP is just very happy at Everton, actually, that was loud and clear for me after the final whistle yesterday, and (4) it's a somewhat thin and watery argument from a rough band of tobacco-spitting desperados.

Jordan Pickford is master enough of enough aspects of the keeper tick-box of must-haves to be a top keeper in the Premier League. But nit pick away by all means and ignore any part of the picture that does not fit in with your narrative if you wish to do so. Keep a little running note to be updated whenever he does something you don't approve of (it would be interesting to see such a thing) and lay it before us. But don't use that from that game and this from this game from time to time to try to stitch together a partial (in all senses of that word), blinkered, and incomplete picture of our keeper.

I know what I saw with my own eyes in what was it minute 98 yesterday ('better than fantastic', one pundit called it). Go and add that one to yer narky list yer nitpicking curmudgeons.

I'll mosey off and listen to some Skynyrd Lyve now, see y'all

The ledger almost certainly remains in his favour but the point about selling him was simply that a cheaper replacement might not therefore be all that much worse and would raise funds to strengthen areas that are currently very, very weak.

If we weren't so poverty-stricken, we would not need to think of such trade-offs...

So, what is the trade-off? We save money to get someone in between the sticks who is better at bossing his box but is not that good at stopping shots (or not as good as Pickford at any rate)? We'll be looking at the balance-sheet of points won and points lost all over again.

The keeper position is surely far too important to gamble with for a few million quid. Better the Devil you know, I say or in the time-honoured immortal phrase that I hate so much: be careful what you ask for.

Pickford should be speaking with his back four and Seamus or Tarks, or who ever is Captain, should be keeping the whole team in synch. Every minute of every game.

Easy spots so far.
No awareness on short corners or the pull back to the straight line kill zone in the box. And there’s more.

That’s a trait that is not acceptable for any Everton team.

But get the basics right, then the rest comes, like the driving test.

But it’s such basics that will cost Everton goals, at the lack of organisation and awareness, will mean, Everton lose cheap goals.

But we are not bottom, and are looking more of a capable team, than 12 months ago.

Made up with Beto, and Danjuma, looking like they play with full heart and fekkn care playing for the EFC, shirt.

Nb, regards Demari Gray, this is a similar trait to when, he left Leicester. Who knows, what’s been said or not said.

I don’t think Sean Dyche, is disrespectful, to any player, but every player in the squad must play and be in tune with the squad.

No one knows, but for sure, there’s no need for any bad eggs, now, as Everton look, to progress up the table.

UTFTs!

The fact that he receives so much flak and ‘banter’ from opposing supporters is testimony to how good he is.

Jordan Pickford imho, has kept Everton, up over the last two seasons, based on his game changing saves.

These weren't fluke saves, but acclaimed by the world football media.

For me collectively, work ad team, and I'd say get a Captain who commands the respect of a squad and team. And leads on the park.

That will change over time, during to injury transfers etc.

The concept remains.

The team effort will win games, more than most.

But Everton, now have some good scope for good offensive football.

Loads of positives to take, it's early days this season, but it's looking far better YOY.

UTFTs!

PF #441-4, could not agree more. Dominating in the air is a nice-to-have in your keeper. Stopping shots that nobody else could stop is a must-have. I'd rather have our keeper than any of the others who pull crosses down with one hand but let shots spin off them or squirm under into the back of the net.

Keith #420, it's just that Michael understands how you really talk! (So do the rest of us.) I'm looking forward to sharing obscenities with you over a Guinness this month.

Offer Paul Heckingbottom and Sean Dyche a guaranteed 17th-place finish in the Premier League right now and they would immediately snap your hand off. So too the Sheffield United and Everton directors keeping an eye on the accounts.

And who can blame them? To revive former Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon’s infamous remark from 2005, the reality of the Premier League today is that the winner will come from ‘a small group of one’.

Two or three clubs will fight to finish second to Manchester City, and three or four more will dream of finishing fourth. For everyone else, the priority is simply to stay above the line, stay within the limits of Financial Fair Play, bank the television money and try to do it all over again the following season. Anything else is a bonus.

For most of its members, the Premier League is a grim, thankless attempt to gather the handful of wins needed to avoid relegation. From time to time, they must ask themselves what is the point of it all.

Best League In The World? The competitive imbalance at the top level of English football will only become more pronounced and the division itself more predictable.

Everton used to be one of those clubs who wanted to break into the elite but on and off the pitch, they have performed so poorly for so long that they can no longer have such ambitions.

An example of how not to run a club, Everton are a warning to their rivals of where too many mistakes can leave you.

It's what many of us have been thinking for quite a while, but it seems strange to see it writ large in a national media outlet.

However, what do you gain by repeatedly showing your displeasure, why? if you're so disenchanted with the sorry state of the club, would you even bother to come on an Everton fan site and complain so bitterly?

If you think we're wasting our time, what are you doing but wasting your own, as I don't believe, that you will convert many if any of us on here to your way of thinking, even if from time to time, we may have similar thoughts, but without needing to publicly air those thoughts.

Perhaps, you're just having a bad day and it's a way for you to comfort yourself, if it's anything more serious than that, I suggest you seek some counselling and find out what's really troubling you.

If it's just a rant that you will repeat over and over again, most of us will skip by your posts, without reading any of them.

The Premier League are telling us we know you know we are corrupt but we are going to carry on right in front of your eyes because we know no one is willing to take us on.

I absolutely believe any protests should now be about the corrupt Premier League.

Or am I the only one who can see what is blatantly obvious!?

In hindsight do we accept that and play on regardless? Should a Super league be formed outside of the Premiership with no teams participating in both?

What is the future for the premier league because if that article is right, which I believe it is, just what is the point?

I'm of the mind that what has happened to our club in such a short space of time, should be subject to a Government Inquiry, but it won't happen. Paul the Esk and his mates released a new podcast this evening and his disdain for "777" was palpable.

It's one thing to be incompetent it's quite another to purposely mislead people in order to make wads of cash on the side, via creative accounting or other more hidden methods.

As Paul mentioned in the podcast, it's not just Everton FC that will be affected by Moshiri's decisions on from whom and from where he gets investment, it will have a serious affect on North Liverpool and the greater Merseyside region, if Moshiri sells to ne'er-do-well's the whole future of the region could be ruined as well as our beloved football club.

It's about time the FA and the Premier League had a good look at how clubs are financed, especially relating to the high interest loans they take out. For all we know, they might be borrowing from companies in which individual members have shares and thus those individuals are profiting by borrowing ever larger sums over longer terms. Something stinks and it ain't just the Kippers.

One thing to add - let’s have a poll on who fucked Everton

1. Bill
2. Moshiri
3. Heysel (joke)

The trade off is as I describe, he is in theory one of our truly saleable assets, England goalie, and might fetch a tidy premium which could, again in theory, buy a keeper not too much worse- maybe not so many miracle saves but better on crosses- and the balance deployed on those areas we complain about. Given we are skint, you could argue needs must. But it's not worth it for 'a few million'. You'd want bids of £50m plus. The attraction would be the potentially large premium an England goalie might fetch, especially still quite young.

But no-one made a serious bid so it's hypothetical and I'm not that bothered, despite his obvious weakness in bossing his 6 yard box, he has other redeeming features. And yes goalie is important but so is everywhere else, not least our useless full backs.

Of course, the risk is we waste the money, as we've done time and time again...

If you do, take a pic and send it to me. You have my email I believe?

Additionally do me a favor please. Buy Rob a Guinness for me and I'll Venmo you for the beer. I'd love to buy Rob a beer. Shoot me your Venmo via email if you think of it.

Cheers. Enjoy your trip!

I will.
I will.
I do.
I will.

No, it'll be my pleasure, and I'll tell him it's from a Republican and he can decide whether it tastes better or worse than the Democratic one I'll have already bought him. (I don't Venmo anyway.)

You'll owe me a beer at your backyard pub when I get there.

Thank you, I absolutely will.

There's plenty of time to cash in on Pickford down the road if we choose (or need) to do so. Keepers peak around 31-32.

The fans of Chelsea, Spurs, and maybe Newcastle possibly think they can knock one of the first three over for a spot in the top four or else finish in the top six.

The thing that strikes me is positions five and six could quite possibly be filled by teams outside of the second group of three - for example Brighton, Aston Villa, West Ham. A group that we used to occupy up until the end of the Moyes era.

That is where the fascination of the Premiership is for me these days coupled with the fact that unlike Arsene Wenger’s magnificent team not even City will go through a season unbeaten. The question is who will be the next team to beat them?

My hope for our immediate future is that we will claw our way back into what I will call the “second four”.

Now, before anyone has a pop at me for settling for mediocrity, let me say this. I cut my teeth watching Harry Catterick’s first lot of champions and I loved it when we were loaded. But we are not any more and I have come to accept that. But “Money can’t by me love” and I love Everton - still.

I have never felt so desperate as I did during Lampard’s reign because the team was playing with no heart. So when we hammered Brighton I was absolutely elated for a week. Then came the relief when we escaped the drop on the final day last season.

Like the vast majority of us I spent the last transfer window and the first three games fretting over the fact that we hadn’t bought a centre forward to replace or compliment DCL. The arrival of Beto has fixed that - he is the real thing in my opinion and I’ve seen a few Everton centre forwards over the past 60 years.

Suffice it to say I was absolutely chuffed with the effort the team put in against the Blades. It fanned the flickering flame in me back to life.

In the recent dark days of the past I am sorry to say I didn’t expect to get anything from any game against any team but now I do, so I am going to put that behind me and I am going to savour every draw and victory as we claw our way back up the table.

AND I live in hope that one day before I depart this life that I see us challenge for the title because “we don’t care what the RS, Daily Mail, the pundits or anyone else says” because we shall not be moved. Try as they may they can’t kill us.

Although it is semantics, in the sense that no serious bid came in for him (as far as I'm aware) selling him later rather misses the point. We are skint in the here and now. We have no money other than what we raise. I think that is obvious. Hence it's a 'needs must' consideration.

Be clear I'm not strongly arguing for selling him. Maybe it's more a case of being open if a serious bid had come in, because we might get a better overall outcome from a good trade right now.

This may be wishful thinking but maybe with the new stadium (and new owners?), we might be in a better position 'down the road' to not have to trade our best players.

Football in this country is in a better place than it was forty years ago when crowds of 13,000 were not uncommon at Goodison. Even in the 1985/86 season as reigning champions a fixture at home to Arsenal could only attract 28,000.

Now despite our lowly position and relatively poor prospects we play in front of full houses at every home match and have a season ticket waiting list.

A bit more composure from Danjuma, Doucoure or Beto and we win the game.

The ref favoured them especially the pull back and our 2 yellow cards.

Our set ball delivery needs some serious work. Young should be off the free kicks.

Thought Patterson had a strong game even though his positional play needs a lot of work. Pleased he got an assist as up to now I didn't think he had it in his locker.

Not sure where the extra 3 mins of injury time came from. Pickford making the triple save gets us off the mark.

Gray has effectively ended his Everton career going public with his dispute with Dyche, shame really as the lad can win a game.

Not naming a full subs bench is probably Dyche's way of highlighting our struggles. Realistically that rule was brought in for the big clubs to keep players happy on the bench. So what we only had 5 subs and 2 goalies we aren't going to use them unless we get injuries.

Unless teams at the top are restricted from continually spending enough to keep them in line with P&S / FFP. A limit should be placed on teams that finish in the top 4, for the following 2 seasons, as to what they can spend. For example if City could only spend £70m a season for 2 seasons, disregarding any sales they make, they would be prevented from mopping up so called 2nd tier teams best players and forced to play more self developed players. The same rules, to apply to the teams finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

As for players wages don't get me started. £600,000 p/wk for Haaland - it's obscene.

I think what has happened with me recently, is that our experience over the last 3 years has given me an insight into what it has been like for the “also rans”, the fans of other clubs involved in the premier league since it’s inception. They support their team through think and thin, and take delight in a victory or a hard earned draw.

It is fair to say that we are now bit players if finishing in the top four is all that matters. There is another way of looking at it though. The money they spend on players and the money they attract from around the world provides us “the other 16” with the football playground where when we compete it is fair. If you look at it like that perhaps they (the top four) are the bit players.

It is another matter however if the Premier league do try to make an example of us by imposing a points deduction. We will then have to do something about it. Perhaps an online petition followed by a delegation to Premier League HQ. I think a large percentage of the fans of the “other 16” clubs would happily sign sign the petition.

Anyway ramblings of an old git over. I know you love Everton - even more than me if you were willing to get up at 4:00am in the morning to watch us over the last two seasons!!

It has been since Sky have bought the rights... more televised games means more revenue, same in Scotland, Rangers and Celtic televised every week means the rest don't get a look in financially.

The FA are spineless and powerless and they know it.
Big money owners now run the Premier League… the Super League will happen, believe me – the Saudis are planning it as we speak.

When it does happen, the FA will hold no sway whatsoever and will look to the rest of the clubs for support, then it's payback time.

When we had money to roll the dice, we recruited very very badly. This was a catastrophic failure which we are still recovering from now. Digne and Pickford are probably the only two I would say were great signings in terms of the quality we should be aiming for.

It's not just the fact that most of his signings ran out their contract and left for free, it's the fact that mostly there was no plan and lack of technical ability (Doucoure, Mykolenko, Godfrey).

People say he wasn't allowed to do his job but hang on a minute, wasn't he one of the highest paid DoF in the league? He didn't lay down a style, implement a manager, set up a team around him, have a shortlist of players to suit a style, allowed himself to be bullied by managers bringing their own players in. I would argue if he had a decent shortlist identified they wouldn't of had to.

I do think what Kevin Thelwell has done in his short term, has not only managed to sell well, but working to a budget the standard of player coming in is much better, and we seem to be scouting better technical players too. Long term, I think we will be okay.

Brands was insistent that all levels of teams academy should play to the same system. Which flew in the face of the teenage teams who all played different systems.

Brands stated until they played the same way Everton would have no identity, or ethos. This would make it easy to transition through the age groups to the 1st team.

Unsworth and Ferguson wanted to play their own 4-4-2 systems or similar. Brands knew he was on a hiding to nothing if the club didn't change. He also inferred him getting criticism for Benitez's appointment was the last straw!!!

I’ve just been on holiday and couldn’t even be bothered staying up to watch Everton playing at 1am, and even walked past a pub with us playing on the television because my kids were getting tired at 10pm, and I’d just spent the first half watching us on a television that kept freezing, so full marks to anyone who gets up in the middle of the night to watch Everton play.

We all ended up going for a massage instead (they wouldn’t go without me, and my partner wouldn’t let me go on my own😂) and I got a lot more enjoyment and a much better sleep, because of the choice that I made!

I love Everton, always will, but I’m getting fed up with football in general and I’ve been fed up with our chairman for a very long time, and believe we can’t carry on with these current owners for much longer or they are going to end up totally destroying us. (Some might say they already have)

I was on an airplane yesterday and they had both the Liverpool and Arsenal games on live. I had the sound off but plugged my earphones in because I saw Peter Schmichelle debating with Dermot Gallagher, over Liverpool’s first goal.

I personally didn’t think there was anything wrong with the goal standing, (not everyone will agree with me) but please do us all a favour, and let the match officials explain, and not some ex-fucking-referee, because these people seem to be changing the rules every single week, and getting away with absolute murder in the process.

I suppose it would have been easier to say I agreed with everything Jack wrote@472

I feel exactly the same way mate, gone are the days I'd spring out of bed on match day.

These days, I can't be arsed, we play uninteresting dull football and have a manager who couldn't put an entertaining side out with an entertaining game plan if he had all the money in the world.

He produces the goods when necessary and although the cynics will say that's his job, he has saved Everton's bacon many times with incredible stops.

We would be in the Championship right now if not for his wonderful last minute save against Bournemouth and that triple save against the Blades is beyond description.

I defy anyone to name a better keeper in the Prem. and that includes the City stopper and the RS stopper.

Still, it must not be overlooked that the defence is very shaky even with some tall guys back for set pieces and if more dominant they could help dispel the nervousness we all feel late on in games.